Looking for a good laptop without breaking the bank?
Budget laptops under $400 have come a long way in recent years. These affordable machines can handle everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and basic productivity work. While they won’t replace high-end gaming laptops or professional workstations, they offer solid value for students, casual users, and anyone needing a second computer.
When shopping for budget laptops, focus on the essentials: processor speed, RAM, storage type, and display quality.
Most laptops in this price range use Intel Celeron or Pentium processors or AMD Ryzen 3 chips. We recommend at least 4GB of RAM and preferably an SSD rather than a traditional hard drive for better performance.
Battery life and build quality can vary widely, so reading reviews is essential.
We’ve researched and tested dozens of budget laptops to find the best options under $400 that offer reliable performance without major compromises.
Our top pick, the Acer Aspire 5, delivers impressive value with a decent processor and surprisingly good screen quality.
What to expect from laptops under $400:
- Good for basic tasks like web browsing, email, and word processing
- Usually 4-8GB RAM and 64-256GB storage
- May have Chrome OS instead of Windows for better performance at lower specs
Contents
Best Laptops Under $400
We’ve researched and tested dozens of budget-friendly laptops to bring you this list of the best options under $400.
These computers offer good performance for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming videos, and basic productivity work without emptying your wallet. Each model on our list provides the best balance of features, reliability, and value in this price range.
Acer Aspire 3 Budget Laptop
The Acer Aspire 3 offers impressive performance and a quality display for under $400, making it perfect for students or casual users who need reliability without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Fast Ryzen 3 processor handles everyday tasks smoothly
- Crisp Full HD IPS display with vibrant colors
- Lightweight design makes it easy to carry around
Cons
- Limited 128GB storage fills up quickly
- No backlit keyboard for night typing
- Speakers produce average sound quality
When we first unboxed the Acer Aspire 3, we were surprised by its premium feel despite the budget price tag.
The silver chassis looks sleek, and at under 4 pounds, it’s light enough to slip into a backpack without causing shoulder strain. The build quality feels solid for a laptop in this price range.
The 15.6-inch Full HD display is a standout feature. Colors pop nicely, and the IPS panel offers wide viewing angles that make sharing content with others easy.
We watched a few YouTube videos and browsed photos, and everything looked sharp and vivid. The narrow bezels make the screen feel more spacious than expected.
Performance-wise, this laptop handles everyday tasks with ease.
The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor paired with 8GB of RAM made multitasking smooth during our testing. We had multiple browser tabs open while editing documents and streaming music without any noticeable slowdown.
It’s not built for serious gaming or video editing, but for school work, web browsing, and streaming, it’s more than capable.
Battery life impressed us during testing. We got about 9-10 hours of real-world use, which means you can leave the charger at home for a full day of classes or work. The laptop also charges fairly quickly, which is a nice bonus when you’re in a hurry.
The keyboard feels comfortable for typing, though we wish it had backlighting for low-light environments. The touchpad is responsive and has a good size that makes navigation easy.
Connectivity is excellent with multiple USB ports, including a USB-C port, plus HDMI for connecting to external displays.
Windows 11 in S mode comes pre-installed, which provides extra security but limits you to Microsoft Store apps. We found it easy to switch out of S mode when needed to install programs from other sources.
The laptop boots quickly thanks to the SSD, though the 128GB capacity fills up fast if you store lots of photos or videos.
HP 14 Laptop
This budget-friendly HP laptop offers solid everyday performance for basic tasks while remaining impressively portable at under $400.
Pros
- Lightweight and slim design perfect for travel
- Almost 11.5 hours of battery life with fast charging
- Includes one year of Microsoft 365
Cons
- Limited 64GB storage fills up quickly
- 4GB RAM struggles with multitasking
- Screen resolution is only HD (1366 x 768)
We recently spent time with the HP 14, and it’s a surprisingly capable machine for its price point.
The thin profile and clean snowflake white finish give it a more premium look than you’d expect. At just over 3 pounds, we barely noticed it in our backpack during commutes.
The 14-inch display with its micro-edge bezel maximizes screen space, though we wish the resolution was higher. Text looks sharp enough for emails and browsing, but you’ll notice some pixelation when watching videos.
The Intel UHD Graphics 600 handled basic streaming well, though don’t expect to play anything beyond simple games.
Performance is adequate for everyday tasks. We typed documents, browsed with multiple tabs, and streamed music simultaneously without major issues.
The Intel Celeron N4020 isn’t winning any speed races, but it’s efficient enough for basic productivity. The 64GB storage filled up faster than we expected after installing a few apps, so you’ll likely need cloud storage or an external drive.
Battery life impressed us most. We got through almost a full workday without hunting for an outlet. When we did need power, the fast charge feature quickly boosted the battery.
The included year of Microsoft 365 adds real value, giving access to the full Office suite plus 1TB of OneDrive storage.
Windows 11 S mode runs smoothly but limits you to Microsoft Store apps. We switched out of S mode for more flexibility, though this slightly impacts battery life.
For students, casual users, or anyone needing a basic second computer, this HP offers good value under $400.
Jumper EZbook S7Hi Laptop
The Jumper EZbook offers amazing value with its powerful specs and smooth performance that’s hard to beat under $400.
Pros
- Lightning-fast performance with 12GB RAM
- Huge 640GB storage (128GB eMMC + 512GB SSD)
- Crisp 15.6″ FHD display with anti-glare coating
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- Speakers are average at best
- Placement of charging port is awkward
We’ve been testing the Jumper EZbook S7Hi for a few weeks now, and it’s honestly impressive what you get for the price.
The laptop boots up quickly and handles everyday tasks with ease. We could jump between multiple Chrome tabs, Word documents, and even some light photo editing without any slowdown.
The display really surprised us. For a budget laptop, the 1920×1080 IPS panel offers vibrant colors and good viewing angles. The anti-glare coating made working in bright rooms much more comfortable, and the narrow bezels give it a more premium look than most laptops in this price range.
Storage is where this laptop truly shines. With a combined 640GB of storage (128GB eMMC + 512GB SSD), we never worried about running out of space.
The SSD portion makes file transfers lightning quick, and we noticed programs launched noticeably faster than on other budget laptops we’ve used.
Connectivity is solid with two USB 3.0 ports, a Type-C port, and even a Mini HDMI for connecting to external displays. The dual-band WiFi performed reliably in our testing, maintaining good speeds even when working in different parts of the house.
The keyboard has good travel and feels comfortable for long typing sessions. We found the trackpad to be responsive enough for everyday use, though it’s not as precise as what you’d find on more expensive models.
While the 38Wh battery isn’t terrible, we typically got around 4-5 hours of real-world use before needing to recharge.
One small annoyance is the charging port placement, which felt awkward when working in tight spaces.
Lenovo V15 Business Laptop
The Lenovo V15 offers incredible value with its massive 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD, making it a standout choice for budget-conscious shoppers needing reliable performance under $400.
Pros
- Exceptional 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage
- Crystal clear 15.6″ Full HD display
- Long 11.5-hour battery life
Cons
- Intel Celeron processor isn’t for heavy gaming
- Slightly heavier than ultraportables at 3.75 lbs
- No backlit keyboard option
We’ve been testing the Lenovo V15 for several weeks now, and it’s honestly surprising how much laptop you get for under $400.
The combination of 32GB RAM and a spacious 1TB SSD is practically unheard of at this price point. Multitasking is smooth – we regularly kept 15+ browser tabs open while running Word and Excel with zero slowdown.
The display quality exceeded our expectations. Colors look vibrant on the 15.6-inch 1920×1080 anti-glare screen, and the matte finish really helps when working in bright rooms. Text appears crisp, making document work comfortable for extended periods.
Battery life is another highlight of this machine. We consistently got around 10 hours of real-world use, which is excellent for a budget laptop.
The port selection is generous too, with multiple USB ports, HDMI, and even a wired ethernet connection – something many modern laptops skip entirely.
The Celeron N5100 processor handles everyday tasks well but does show its limitations with more demanding applications. Light photo editing works fine, but don’t expect to edit 4K videos or play newer games. For web browsing, office work, and streaming, it’s perfectly capable.
Student-Friendly Features
- Windows 11 Pro pre-installed
- Military-grade durability testing
- Privacy shutter for webcam
The keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience with good key travel. We appreciate the full-size layout including a numeric keypad, though we do wish it had backlighting for low-light environments. The trackpad is responsive and supports all the Windows 11 gestures without issue.
Sound quality from the stereo speakers with Dolby Audio is surprisingly good for a budget laptop. While they won’t replace dedicated speakers, they provide clear audio for video calls and casual media consumption.
Overall build quality feels solid despite the plastic construction. Lenovo’s claim of “military durability” seems supported by the sturdy feel – there’s minimal flex in the chassis and screen. At 3.75 pounds, it’s not the lightest option available, but still portable enough for daily commuting.
HP 14″ Light Laptop
This budget-friendly HP laptop offers solid performance for basic tasks while remaining incredibly lightweight and portable for students or casual users.
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and portable design
- Long battery life (up to 11.5 hours)
- Includes 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription
Cons
- Limited 4GB RAM slows down multitasking
- Low-resolution display (1366 x 768)
- Windows 11 S Mode restricts app installations
We recently got our hands on this HP 14″ laptop, and it’s a decent option for anyone on a tight budget. The snow white design looks clean and modern.
At just over 3 pounds, we barely noticed it in our backpack during daily commutes.
The laptop comes with an Intel Celeron N4120 processor that handles basic tasks well. We browsed the web, wrote documents, and watched videos without major issues. Don’t expect to run demanding software or games, though.
The 4GB RAM becomes a bottleneck when multiple programs are open.
Storage is interesting – you get 64GB built-in plus a 64GB microSD card. This worked better than expected for saving documents and photos.
The 14-inch display is adequate for everyday use, but the resolution isn’t great for watching HD content.
Battery life impressed us during testing. We got through a full day of light use without needing to charge.
The built-in webcam works fine for video calls, though the quality is basic. The laptop includes several USB ports and an HDMI connection, which we found handy for connecting external devices.
Windows 11 in S Mode provides security benefits but limits you to Microsoft Store apps. We found this frustrating when trying to install certain programs. You can switch out of S Mode, but can’t switch back.
Buying Guide
Finding a good laptop under $400 means focusing on what you really need. We’ve helped many people make this choice, and we know what matters most.
Key Specs to Consider
When shopping for budget laptops, pay attention to these important features:
Memory matters! 8GB RAM should be your minimum target for decent performance.
Processor: Look for Intel Core i3/i5 or AMD Ryzen 3/5 processors. These offer good performance without breaking the bank.
RAM: 8GB is ideal for smooth multitasking. Avoid 4GB RAM if possible, as it can make your laptop feel sluggish.
Storage: Choose SSD over HDD whenever possible. Even a smaller 128GB SSD will make your laptop feel much faster than a larger but slower HDD.
Display & Build Quality
The screen is what you’ll look at all day, so don’t overlook it!
Resolution: 1366×768 is common in this price range, but try to find 1080p if possible.
Size: 13-15 inches offers a good balance between portability and usability.
| Feature | Good Option | Better Option |
| Processor | Intel Celeron/Pentium | Core i3/Ryzen 3 |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 500GB HDD | 128GB+ SSD |
Battery Life & Ports
We recommend looking for at least 6 hours of battery life for decent portability.
Also, check for enough USB ports and an HDMI output if you plan to connect to external displays.