Home > Best Budget Laptops > Best Laptops under $400
There are laptops at every price these days, but if you are a little tight on budget and are looking for the best laptops under $400 then you are definitely at the right place!
While some $400 laptops are absolutely not worth your money, we listed the ones that will be the best investment!
And since we scan the web every day, you can be sure you’ll find the best deals!
Our Top 3
#1 – Asus Vivobook F512 |
#2 – Acer Aspire 5 |
#3 – Acer Swift 1 |
Ultra-mobile 15-inch |
For its Value, Look & Performance |
Lightweight Solid 13-inch |
15.6″ HD | 15.6″ HD | 13.3″ HD |
Intel i3 with 8 GB of RAM | AMD Ryzen 3 with 4 GB of RAM | Pentium N4200 with 4 GB of RAM |
128 GB SSD | 128 GB HDD ( rpm) | 64 GB eMMC |
Up to 7 hours | Expect 7 to 8 hours | Up to 10 hours |
Jump to our Review | Jump to our Review | Jump to our Review |
What to expect from the best laptops under $400?
If you decide to buy a 400 dollars laptop, then you have to understand that these kinds of laptops are not built for 3D games, heavy applications, or any other stuff that requires a high-performance laptop.
But stick to our list of the top laptops under $400, and you will be able to do your normal work like word processing, internet browsing, music, movie watching, etc. In this post, I have reviewed the absolute best laptops under 400 dollars that you can buy. And you will be able to enjoy it for a while since they all are manufactured by the top-class laptop brands.
Design & Casing
There is a mix-bag of products in the $400 laptops category. While most laptops will have a rather bulky plastic design, some have a surprisingly sturdy & quality casing. In all cases, I only selected laptops that have good enough quality for normal usage (some products on the market are simply too fragile to figure on this list).
Display
When looking for a sub $400 laptop, you’ll find everything from mini notebooks to 15-inch laptops. While most have a non-HD, rather dull display, there are a few that have a colorful HD screen that belongs on more expensive laptops.
Performance
Don’t expect to get a power-house here. While you can find some very under-performing laptops for less than $400 on the market, each laptop I chose on this list will give you enough power for office work, web browsing, and watching movies.
Audio
If you want to play music at a party with your laptop, you’ll have to look for a high-end notebook (or at least a mid-range laptop). The very best laptops under 400 dollars won’t give you as much audio output. But still, it doesn’t mean that you’ll have to wear earphones to listen to music or watch a movie.
The top laptops under $400 I’ve selected will have loud enough speakers to easily have a video-call with a friend or to watch a movie comfortably in your bed.
Other Aspects
Whether you’re looking for the best 2-in-1 laptops under 400 dollars or for a traditional laptop, what else should you look for?
First, do you need Windows? While there are good laptops under 400 dollars that come with Windows 10, you might want to look for a Chromebook if you only need it to browse the web and watch movies. They often will give you more for your money!
Also, a $400 laptop will a long battery life might be useful if you are often on the road. The battery life varies greatly between notebooks, so if it’s important, keep a close look at that stat.
Recommended for you:
Specs for the Top 12 Best laptops under $400
Graphics 10 to 15-inch Processor Intel Cherry Trail, Celeron N3450 to N4100, Pentium N3160 to N4200, Intel Atom x5, AMD Ryzen 3, Intel i3 RAM 4 to 8 GB Storage 64 to 1000 GB Battery life 6 to 10 hours OS Windows 10, ChromeOS Thickness / Weight 0.41 to 0.9″ / 1.48 to 4.85 lbs Price Range $, $$
Top 12 Best laptops under $400
1 – Asus Vivobook F512 – 15″ HD
“Ultra-mobile 15-inch”
The Asus Vivobook F512 is a leader in 15-inch mobility. Indeed, with its 0.8-inch thickness and 3.75 lbs on the scale, it knows how to stay resolutely mobile.
But the Vivobook S512 also stands out thanks to its ErgoLift hinge: when you open it, the keyboard is raised, which gives you a better typing position. Another significant advantage is that it contributes to better air circulation under your PC for optimized cooling.
To permanently store your precious data and boost the overall responsiveness of your system, you can count on 128 GB of SSD. Thanks to it, Windows 10 or all of your programs will launch in just a few seconds. Speed that you can never do without once you’ve tried it.
Definitely one of the best laptops under $400, and one of my favorite budget laptop on the market.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 15.6″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Intel i3 with 8 GB of RAM |
Storage | 128 GB SSD |
Battery life | Up to 7 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.8″ / 3.75 lbs |
2 – Acer Aspire 5 – 15″ HD
“For its Value, Look & Performance”
The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best laptop deals you can get in this price bracket. The build quality is excellent and the Ryzen processor inside is quite fast compared to the competition. If you don’t multitask too much, this is what you need. It is also possible to stream without problem on the Acer Aspire 5.
At 3.97 lbs, it’s quite light for a 15-inch laptop. You can carry it all day in your backpack without even knowing it’s there. And I also like the fact that the power supply is about the size of a Toblerone bar. That’s a change from the old bulky one.
It’s a great mainstream laptop and it’s much better than what most of the competition offers. Definitely one of the best 15-inch laptops under $400.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 15.6″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | AMD Ryzen 3 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 128 GB HDD ( rpm) |
Battery life | Expect 7 to 8 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.71″ / 3.97 lbs |
3 – Acer Swift 1 – 13″ HD
“Lightweight Solid 13-inch”
With a slim body and one of the best HD screens you can find on a budget laptop, the Acer Swift 1 is surprisingly inexpensive. Performance is acceptable but the Pentium processor is powerful enough for smooth browsing and watching movies.
You’ll have to sacrifice on storage, but that’s a small price to pay to get that kind of laptop. If you’re looking for a nice low-cost13-inch laptop under 400 dollars, this is a great choice!
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 13.3″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Pentium N4200 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 10 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.59″ / 2.87 lbs |
Recommended for you:
4 – Acer Chromebook 14 – 14″ HD
“A practical & versatile Chromebook for everyday use”
There are many Chromebooks on the market. Despite this diversity, it’s difficult to have one that is fast, efficient, less expensive and that has a nice design. It is to meet these needs that the manufacturer has used its knowledge and new technologies to create the Acer Chromebook 14.
It all starts with the use of good quality design materials ensuring impressive strength followed by the special design and a beautiful screen. It’s fairly small weight and its size makes it easy to carry around. If you’re looking for a $400 Chromebook to stay connected to the outside world, this is a great option. Read our full review.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 14″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Pentium N3160 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 12 hours |
OS | ChromeOS |
Thickness / Weight | 0.67″ / 3.42 lbs |
5 – Acer Spin 1 – 11″ HD Convertible
“A good convertible laptop at a low price”
The Acer Spin 1 is proof that “entry-level product” does not always rhyme with “discount quality”. Boasting a neat design, close to what a more premium PC can offer, and an impeccable level of finish, this convertible laptop even has the luxury of a very good screen.
With its 2.65 lbs and 0.8-inch thickness, the Acer Spin 1 is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops under 400 dollars in terms of portability, especially as it comes with a small charger. You can therefore easily slip it into a small size bag.
On the other hand, you will have to live with small storage space, so using online storage will be necessary. But the price/quality ratio is undeniably good.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 11.6″ HD touchscreen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Celeron with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 32+ GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 8 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.8″ / 2.65 lbs |
6 – Lenovo 130s – 11″
“Very good basic laptop”
The Lenovo 130s is an excellent choice for those who use basic navigation like email and the light work of Microsoft Office applications. The device is light with a bright and visible screen, although it is not HD.
The performance is more than enough for basic use, but not much more than that. It is not a computer that can be used for games or other advanced purposes that requires a very fast chipset, graphics, etc. Overall, the performance of the Lenovo 130s is quite adequate for its price & dimensions. It is a good choice for a basic laptop.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 11.6″ screen (1366 X 768) |
Performance | Intel Celeron N4000 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Expect 8 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.7″ / 3.3 lbs |
# 7 to 12 Best laptops under $400
7 – Acer Aspire 1 – 14″ HD
“Easy to use and very practical device”
The Acer Aspire 1 has a compact and modern design delivered in a polycarbonate chassis, coated with an anthracite gray exterior. It impresses with its brushed metal finish which gives it an elegant look.
With its compact dimensions and lightweight, it has a beautiful shape that provides a good grip. Its ultra-portable design perfectly combines elegance with convenience. It has a keyboard with comfortably spaced keys, a nice touch that writers will appreciate. The touchpad has reasonable dimensions and is pleasant to use.
This Acer is a very affordable 14-inch laptop under $400 that delivers great value for money. It is very efficient and performs well during multi-tasking, as long as you don’t ask for too much. Also, its battery holds the charge well allowing you to work easily for half a day without resorting to charging.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 14″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Celeron N3450 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 9 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.71″ / 3.64 lbs |
8 – Lenovo ThinkPad 11e – 11″ Convertible
“Tough 11-inch”
This is a tough machine! Drop it from 3 feet and it’ll still work. Bump it on a table and its rubber edge will absorb the shock. The 11-inch format is very portable and it has enough power for web-surfing and watching movies.
All this makes it for a great laptop for kids or school. Read our full review.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 11.6″ screen (1366 x 768) |
Performance | Intel Celeron N4100 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 128 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 6 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.88″ / 3.3 lbs |
9 – Asus Transformer Book T101HA – 10″ HD Detachable
“Detachable mini laptop”
The Transformer Book series is the leader of the detachable market. The T100HA does not disappoint! If you’re looking for a budget 2-in-1 laptop, look no further, this is one of the best choices you can make. It has a perfect balance of power, price, and size.
Definitely, it’s one of the best 2-in-1 laptops under 400 dollars.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 10″ HD touchscreen (1280 x 800) |
Performance | Intel Cherry Trail with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 12 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.72″ / 2.28 lbs |
10 – Lenovo IdeaPad 320 – 15″
“Great design”
I really like the design of the Ideapad 320. Lenovo makes many different models with this platform, so you get a quality & stylish design at a budget price.
Of course on this one you get a dull display and not much performance, but for the price, it’s actually not bad.
Pros
| Cons
|
Graphics | 15.6″ touchscreen (1366 x 768) |
Performance | Intel Celeron or AMD A with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 1000 GB HDD (5400 rpm) |
Battery life | Up to 6 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.9″ / 4.85 lbs |
11 – Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet 10 – 10″ HD Detachable
“For professional users”
The Lenovo Thinkpad 10 ultraportable is more like a tablet than a regular laptop. Its all-plastic design can but a turn off for some, but for its price, this mini laptop remains of very good quality.
The ThinkPad 10 has a good grip. It’s an attractive offer thanks to the compatibility of its Windows operating system, its security functions, and the availability of accessories allowing you to efficiently bridge the gap between laptops and tablets.
It is a device that is more likely to be purchased by businesses rather than for personal users. It’s a rugged device that offers an alternative to the Microsoft Surface Go.
If you are looking for a tablet that can serve as a viable portable substitute, the ThinkPad 10 is worth adding to your list.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 10.1″ HD screen (1920 x 1200) |
Performance | Intel Celeron N4100 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 128 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Expect 9 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.41″ / 1.48 lbs |
12 – Lenovo Miix 320 – 10″ Detachable
“Well-designed 10-inch”
This is a good budget hybrid. It’s well designed and although made of plastic, it doesn’t feel cheap. You get a pretty good HD screen and the audio is decent. Read our full review.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Graphics | 10.1″ touchscreen (1920 x 1200) |
Performance | Intel Atom x5 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 12 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.68″ / 2.2 lbs |
Recommended for you:
Specs for the Top 12 Best laptops under $400
Graphics 10 to 15-inch Processor Intel Cherry Trail, Celeron N3450 to N4100, Pentium N3160 to N4200, Intel Atom x5, AMD Ryzen 3, Intel i3 RAM 4 to 8 GB Storage 64 to 1000 GB Battery life 6 to 10 hours OS Windows 10, ChromeOS Thickness / Weight 0.41 to 0.9″ / 1.48 to 4.85 lbs Price Range $, $$
Top 12 Best laptops under $400
1 – Asus Vivobook F512 – 15″ HD
“Ultra-mobile 15-inch”
The Asus Vivobook F512 is a leader in 15-inch mobility. Indeed, with its 0.8-inch thickness and 3.75 lbs on the scale, it knows how to stay resolutely mobile.
But the Vivobook S512 also stands out thanks to its ErgoLift hinge: when you open it, the keyboard is raised, which gives you a better typing position. Another significant advantage is that it contributes to better air circulation under your PC for optimized cooling.
To permanently store your precious data and boost the overall responsiveness of your system, you can count on 128 GB of SSD. Thanks to it, Windows 10 or all of your programs will launch in just a few seconds. Speed that you can never do without once you’ve tried it.
Definitely one of the best laptops under $400, and one of my favorite budget laptop on the market.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on NewEgg
Graphics | 15.6″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Intel i3 with 8 GB of RAM |
Storage | 128 GB SSD |
Battery life | Up to 7 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.8″ / 3.75 lbs |
2 – Acer Aspire 5 – 15″ HD
“For its Value, Look & Performance”
The Acer Aspire 5 is one of the best laptop deals you can get in this price bracket. The build quality is excellent and the Ryzen processor inside is quite fast compared to the competition. If you don’t multitask too much, this is what you need. It is also possible to stream without problem on the Acer Aspire 5.
At 3.97 lbs, it’s quite light for a 15-inch laptop. You can carry it all day in your backpack without even knowing it’s there. And I also like the fact that the power supply is about the size of a Toblerone bar. That’s a change from the old bulky one.
It’s a great mainstream laptop and it’s much better than what most of the competition offers. Definitely one of the best 15-inch laptops under $400.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on online
Graphics | 15.6″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | AMD Ryzen 3 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 128 GB HDD ( rpm) |
Battery life | Expect 7 to 8 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.71″ / 3.97 lbs |
3 – Acer Swift 1 – 13″ HD
“Lightweight Solid 13-inch”
With a slim body and one of the best HD screens you can find on a budget laptop, the Acer Swift 1 is surprisingly inexpensive. Performance is acceptable but the Pentium processor is powerful enough for smooth browsing and watching movies.
You’ll have to sacrifice on storage, but that’s a small price to pay to get that kind of laptop. If you’re looking for a nice low-cost13-inch laptop under 400 dollars, this is a great choice!
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on online
Graphics | 13.3″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Pentium N4200 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 10 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.59″ / 2.87 lbs |
Recommended for you:
4 – Acer Chromebook 14 – 14″ HD
“A practical & versatile Chromebook for everyday use”
There are many Chromebooks on the market. Despite this diversity, it’s difficult to have one that is fast, efficient, less expensive and that has a nice design. It is to meet these needs that the manufacturer has used its knowledge and new technologies to create the Acer Chromebook 14.
It all starts with the use of good quality design materials ensuring impressive strength followed by the special design and a beautiful screen. It’s fairly small weight and its size makes it easy to carry around. If you’re looking for a $400 Chromebook to stay connected to the outside world, this is a great option. Read our full review.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on NewEgg
Graphics | 14″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Pentium N3160 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 12 hours |
OS | ChromeOS |
Thickness / Weight | 0.67″ / 3.42 lbs |
5 – Acer Spin 1 – 11″ HD Convertible
“A good convertible laptop at a low price”
The Acer Spin 1 is proof that “entry-level product” does not always rhyme with “discount quality”. Boasting a neat design, close to what a more premium PC can offer, and an impeccable level of finish, this convertible laptop even has the luxury of a very good screen.
With its 2.65 lbs and 0.8-inch thickness, the Acer Spin 1 is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops under 400 dollars in terms of portability, especially as it comes with a small charger. You can therefore easily slip it into a small size bag.
On the other hand, you will have to live with small storage space, so using online storage will be necessary. But the price/quality ratio is undeniably good.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on online
Graphics | 11.6″ HD touchscreen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Celeron N4000 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 32+ GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 8 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.8″ / 2.65 lbs |
6 – Lenovo 130s – 11″
“Very good basic laptop”
The Lenovo 130s is an excellent choice for those who use basic navigation like email and the light work of Microsoft Office applications. The device is light with a bright and visible screen, although it is not HD.
The performance is more than enough for basic use, but not much more than that. It is not a computer that can be used for games or other advanced purposes that requires a very fast chipset, graphics, etc. Overall, the performance of the Lenovo 130s is quite adequate for its price & dimensions. It is a good choice for a basic laptop.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on NewEgg
Graphics | 11.6″ screen (1366 X 768) |
Performance | Intel Celeron N4000 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Expect 8 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.7″ / 3.3 lbs |
# 7 to 12 Best laptops under $400
7 – Acer Aspire 1 – 14″ HD
“Easy to use and very practical device”
The Acer Aspire 1 has a compact and modern design delivered in a polycarbonate chassis, coated with an anthracite gray exterior. It impresses with its brushed metal finish which gives it an elegant look.
With its compact dimensions and lightweight, it has a beautiful shape that provides a good grip. Its ultra-portable design perfectly combines elegance with convenience. It has a keyboard with comfortably spaced keys, a nice touch that writers will appreciate. The touchpad has reasonable dimensions and is pleasant to use.
This Acer is a very affordable 14-inch laptop under $400 that delivers great value for money. It is very efficient and performs well during multi-tasking, as long as you don’t ask for too much. Also, its battery holds the charge well allowing you to work easily for half a day without resorting to charging.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on online
Graphics | 14″ HD screen (1920 x 1080) |
Performance | Celeron N3450 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 32 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 9 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.71″ / 3.64 lbs |
8 – Lenovo ThinkPad 11e – 11″ Convertible
“Tough 11-inch”
This is a tough machine! Drop it from 3 feet and it’ll still work. Bump it on a table and its rubber edge will absorb the shock. The 11-inch format is very portable and it has enough power for web-surfing and watching movies.
All this makes it for a great laptop for kids or school. Read our full review.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on online
Graphics | 11.6″ screen (1366 x 768) |
Performance | Celeron N4100 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 128 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 6 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.88″ / 3.3 lbs |
9 – Asus Transformer Book T101HA – 10″ HD Detachable
“Detachable mini laptop”
The Transformer Book series is the leader of the detachable market. The T100HA does not disappoint! If you’re looking for a budget 2-in-1 laptop, look no further, this is one of the best choices you can make. It has a perfect balance of power, price, and size.
Definitely, it’s one of the best 2-in-1 laptops under 400 dollars.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on online
Graphics | 10″ HD touchscreen (1280 x 800) |
Performance | Intel Cherry Trail with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 12 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.72″ / 2.28 lbs |
10 – Lenovo IdeaPad 320 – 15″
“Great design”
I really like the design of the Ideapad 320. Lenovo makes many different models with this platform, so you get a quality & stylish design at a budget price.
Of course on this one you get a dull display and not much performance, but for the price, it’s actually not bad.
Pros
| Cons
|
Buy on online
Graphics | 15.6″ touchscreen (1366 x 768) |
Performance | Celeron or AMD A with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 1000 GB HDD (5400 rpm) |
Battery life | Up to 6 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.9″ / 4.85 lbs |
11 – Lenovo Thinkpad Tablet 10 – 10″ HD Detachable
“For professional users”
The Lenovo Thinkpad 10 ultraportable is more like a tablet than a regular laptop. Its all-plastic design can but a turn off for some, but for its price, this mini laptop remains of very good quality.
The ThinkPad 10 has a good grip. It’s an attractive offer thanks to the compatibility of its Windows operating system, its security functions, and the availability of accessories allowing you to efficiently bridge the gap between laptops and tablets.
It is a device that is more likely to be purchased by businesses rather than for personal users. It’s a rugged device that offers an alternative to the Microsoft Surface Go.
If you are looking for a tablet that can serve as a viable portable substitute, the ThinkPad 10 is worth adding to your list.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on online
Graphics | 10.1″ HD screen (1920 x 1200) |
Performance | Celeron N4100 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 128 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Expect 9 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.41″ / 1.48 lbs |
12 – Lenovo Miix 320 – 10″ Detachable
“Well-designed 10-inch”
This is a good budget hybrid. It’s well designed and although made of plastic, it doesn’t feel cheap. You get a pretty good HD screen and the audio is decent. Read our full review.
Pros
|
Cons
|
Buy on online
Graphics | 10.1″ touchscreen (1920 x 1200) |
Performance | Intel Atom x5 with 4 GB of RAM |
Storage | 64 GB eMMC |
Battery life | Up to 12 hours |
OS | Windows 10 |
Thickness / Weight | 0.68″ / 2.2 lbs |
Erik is the owner and main editor of lptps.com. He has been working in computers and information technology for more than 20 years. He’s a business analyst, developer, and avid traveler.