Looking for a budget laptop that won’t break the bank? Finding a decent laptop under $400 can be tricky, but it’s definitely possible.
These affordable machines can handle everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and streaming videos. While they won’t run high-end games or professional video editing software, they’re perfect for students, casual users, or as a second computer.
When shopping for budget laptops, focus on these key specs: at least 4GB of RAM (8GB is better), an SSD rather than a traditional hard drive, and a decent processor (newer Intel Celeron or AMD Ryzen 3 chips work well).
Screen quality and battery life often take a hit at this price point, but you can still find models with acceptable displays and enough juice to get through a school day.
We’ve tested dozens of budget laptops over the past year, and the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 stands out as our top pick for most people. It offers surprising performance for under $400 without major compromises that would affect daily use.
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Best Laptops Under $400
We’ve searched the market to find the most affordable yet reliable laptops that won’t break the bank. Our list features the best laptops under $400 that offer good performance for everyday tasks like browsing, watching videos, and basic work. These budget-friendly options prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a decent computer.
Acer Aspire 3 Slim Laptop
The Acer Aspire 3 delivers impressive performance for everyday tasks at under $400, making it a solid choice for students or casual users on a budget.
Pros
- Fast AMD Ryzen 3 processor handles multitasking smoothly
- Crisp, bright 15.6″ Full HD IPS display
- Incredibly lightweight and portable design
Cons
- Limited 128GB storage fills up quickly
- No backlit keyboard for nighttime use
- Speakers sound a bit tinny at higher volumes
We’ve been testing the Acer Aspire 3 for a couple weeks now, and it’s clear why this laptop has become a popular choice for budget shoppers.
The slim silver design looks much more premium than its price tag suggests. At just under 4 pounds, it’s surprisingly light and easy to carry around campus or to coffee shops.
Boot-up times impressed us right away. The AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor with 8GB RAM handles everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming without a hitch.
We could keep multiple browser tabs open while working on documents and didn’t notice any significant slowdowns.
The display really stands out at this price point. Colors look vibrant and text appears sharp on the Full HD screen. The narrow bezels give you more usable screen space, which we appreciated when working on spreadsheets or watching videos. Viewing angles are good too, thanks to the IPS panel.
Battery life holds up well during regular use. We got about 8-9 hours of real-world usage before needing to plug in.
The improved thermal system keeps the laptop cool even during extended use, and we rarely heard the fan kick in during normal tasks.
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity provides fast, stable internet connections. We noticed significantly better speeds compared to older laptops when streaming videos or downloading files.
The webcam quality is decent for video calls, especially with Acer’s noise reduction technology that helps in noisy environments.
The main drawback is the limited 128GB storage, which fills up quickly after installing essential apps. You’ll likely need an external drive or cloud storage for photos and videos. The keyboard feels comfortable for typing, though we wish it had backlighting for low-light situations.
HP 14″ Budget Laptop
This HP 14 laptop offers solid everyday performance for basic tasks at a budget-friendly price under $400.
Pros
- Lightweight, portable design with thin bezels
- Good battery life (up to 11.5 hours)
- Includes one-year Microsoft 365 subscription
Cons
- Limited 64GB storage space
- Only 4GB RAM affects multitasking
- Basic processor not suitable for demanding tasks
We recently tested this HP 14-inch laptop and found it to be a decent option for budget shoppers.
The sleek white design caught our eye right away, and at just over 3 pounds, it’s light enough to carry around all day. The thin micro-edge bezels give you more screen space without making the laptop bulky.
For everyday tasks like web browsing, email, and basic document editing, this laptop handles things pretty well. The Intel Celeron N4020 processor isn’t going to win any speed competitions, but it gets the job done for simple work. We noticed some lag when trying to run multiple programs at once – the 4GB RAM shows its limitations here.
Storage is definitely on the tight side. With only 64GB of eMMC storage, we filled it up quickly after installing a few programs and downloading some files. You’ll want to use cloud storage or an external drive for most of your files.
Battery life impressed us during testing. We got nearly a full workday of use before needing to recharge. The fast charging feature came in handy when we needed a quick power boost. The HD display quality is adequate for documents and casual video watching, though not particularly vibrant.
Windows 11 S mode comes pre-installed, which limits you to Microsoft Store apps. We found this restrictive but switching out of S mode is free and easy. The included year of Microsoft 365 adds significant value, giving you access to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without an extra subscription cost.
For students, casual users, or anyone needing a secondary computer, this HP laptop offers good value. Just don’t expect it to handle gaming, video editing, or other resource-intensive tasks.
HP 14″ Ultra Light Laptop
This budget-friendly HP laptop delivers reliable performance for basic tasks while offering impressive battery life and Microsoft 365 access at a price that won’t break the bank.
Pros
- Lightweight design with 11.5-hour battery life
- Includes 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription
- Comes with expanded 128GB storage (64GB eMMC + 64GB SD card)
Cons
- Limited 4GB RAM affects multitasking performance
- Low-resolution display (1366 x 768)
- Windows 11 S Mode restrictions (though convertible to regular Windows 11)
We recently tried out this HP 14″ laptop and found it’s a solid option for students or anyone needing a basic computer.
The snow white design looks clean and modern, and at just over 3 pounds, it’s easy to carry around all day.
Battery life is a standout feature. We used it for a full workday without needing to charge. The quad-core Intel Celeron processor handles everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video calls without major issues. Don’t expect it to run games or heavy programs smoothly, though.
The included Microsoft 365 subscription ($70 value) is a nice bonus. We appreciated having full versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint right away, plus 1TB of cloud storage. The keyboard feels comfortable for typing, and the trackpad is responsive enough for regular use.
Screen quality is where you notice the budget constraints. The 14-inch display is adequately bright but lacks sharpness for detailed work or media consumption. Colors appear somewhat washed out when watching videos.
Connectivity is surprisingly good with three USB ports (including one USB-C), HDMI output, and an SD card reader. The webcam quality is basic but works fine for online classes or casual video chats.
Windows 11 in S Mode means you can only install apps from the Microsoft Store by default. We found this limiting but appreciated the added security. Converting to regular Windows 11 Home is free and easy if needed.
NIMO 15.6″ FHD Laptop
The NIMO laptop delivers impressive performance, generous storage, and premium features at a budget-friendly price that makes it an exceptional value for anyone seeking a capable computer under $400.
Pros
- Fast performance with 16GB RAM and Intel N100 processor
- Generous 1TB SSD storage that loads programs quickly
- Premium features like backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader
Cons
- Battery life limited to about 5 hours
- Royal blue color might not appeal to everyone
- Some users report occasional keyboard issues
We recently tested the NIMO laptop and were immediately impressed by its solid construction.
The metal chassis gives it a premium feel that’s rare at this price point. When we opened it up, the 15.6-inch Full HD display provided crisp, clear visuals with good colors and brightness.
Typing on the backlit keyboard feels comfortable even during long work sessions. The keys have nice travel and feedback, making it great for students who need to write papers or professionals handling emails. We particularly appreciated the fingerprint reader that made logging in quick and secure without fussing with passwords.
Performance-wise, this NIMO surprised us. The Intel N100 processor paired with 16GB of RAM handled multitasking smoothly. We could run multiple Chrome tabs, Word documents, and even some light photo editing without any noticeable slowdown. The 1TB SSD provides tons of storage space while ensuring quick boot times and fast program launches.
Connectivity options are excellent with USB 3.0 ports and a full-function Type-C port. The laptop also includes modern features like WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 that ensure fast, stable connections. We found the 65W fast-charging adapter especially handy, as it works with most Type-C devices too.
For students, home users, or anyone needing a reliable laptop on a budget, this NIMO model offers tremendous value. Its combination of performance, storage, and premium features is rarely found under $400. The 2-year warranty adds extra peace of mind that’s uncommon in this price range.
Jumper EZbook S7Hi Laptop
The Jumper EZbook S7Hi delivers surprising performance and value with its impressive specs and smooth operation at a budget-friendly price under $400.
Pros
- Lightning-fast performance with 12GB RAM and Intel Celeron processor
- Generous 640GB storage (128GB EMMC + 512GB SSD)
- Beautiful 15.6-inch FHD IPS display with anti-glare coating
Cons
- Battery life is average at best
- Speakers could be louder
- Charging port placement feels awkward
We were genuinely surprised by how much laptop we got for the money with the Jumper EZbook.
The 12GB RAM makes multitasking a breeze – we had multiple browser tabs, word processing, and streaming video running simultaneously without any lag. The Intel Celeron 5305U processor handles everyday tasks with ease.
The storage options really stand out.
With 640GB total (128GB EMMC + 512GB SSD), we never worried about running out of space. Photos, documents, and applications load quickly thanks to the SSD component.
Windows 11 runs smoothly, and the laptop boots up in seconds.
The display quality exceeded our expectations.
Colors pop on the 15.6-inch FHD IPS screen, and the anti-glare coating means we could work comfortably even near windows. The narrow bezels give it a modern look that belies its budget price point.
Connectivity is excellent with two USB 3.0 ports, a Type-C port, Mini HDMI, and a microSD card slot. We appreciate having multiple options for connecting peripherals.
The keyboard has good travel and includes a numeric keypad, which is handy for spreadsheet work.
We did notice the battery life isn’t spectacular – about 4-5 hours of real-world use. The charging port placement on the left side feels a bit awkward compared to most laptops. While the dual speakers are adequate, they lack the volume and bass you’d want for enjoying movies.
For students, remote workers, or anyone needing a capable budget laptop, the Jumper EZbook S7Hi delivers exceptional value. The combination of generous RAM, storage, and display quality makes it stand out in the under-$400 category.
Buying Guide
Shopping for a budget laptop can feel tricky. We’ve put together this guide to help you find the best laptop under $400 that meets your needs.
Processor Power
The processor is like the brain of your laptop. For budget laptops, look for these options:
- Intel Celeron or Pentium (good for basic tasks)
- AMD Ryzen 3 (better performance for the price)
- Intel Core i3 (best performance in this price range)
Avoid very old processors like Intel Atom if possible. They’ll make your laptop feel slow right from the start.
RAM Matters
RAM affects how many programs you can run at once. For laptops under $400:
| [RAM Amount](https://bytebitebit.com/ram/how-to-choose-the-right-ram-for-your-pc/) | Good For | Recommendation |
| 4GB | Basic web browsing, documents | Minimum acceptable |
| [8GB](https://bytebitebit.com/ram/best-ddr4-ram/) | Multitasking, light photo editing | Ideal target |
| 16GB | Rare in this price range | Great if you can find it |
Storage Options
We recommend at least 128GB of storage. SSD storage is much faster than a traditional hard drive. Even a smaller SSD will feel faster than a larger hard drive.
Display Quality
For budget laptops, look for:
- Resolution: At least 1366×768 (HD), but 1920×1080 (Full HD) is better
- Size: 11-14 inches is common in this price range
Battery Life and Portability
Check reviews for real-world battery performance. Most budget laptops offer 4-7 hours of use.
Weight usually ranges from 2.5-4.5 pounds in this category.