10 Best Laptops Under 400 Dollars 2025 in the United States

The Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable laptop under 400 dollars. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, which provides sharp and vibrant visuals, making it suitable for everyday tasks and media consumption. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core Processor and AMD Radeon Graphics, it offers decent performance for productivity tasks, web browsing, and light gaming. The 8GB LPDDR5 RAM ensures smooth multitasking, while the 128GB NVMe SSD provides fast boot times and quick access to files, although the storage capacity may be limiting for users with larger media libraries or numerous applications.

The laptop excels in connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 support, ensuring a strong and stable internet connection, and various ports including USB Type-C, USB 3.2, and HDMI, offering flexibility for peripherals. However, the absence of a backlit keyboard may be a drawback for those who work in dimly lit environments. Additionally, running Windows 11 S Mode, users are restricted to apps from the Microsoft Store, which could be limiting but can be switched out of S Mode if needed.

The build quality is commendably lightweight and slim, making it portable and travel-friendly. The battery life is around 11 hours, which is impressive for extended use without frequent charging. This laptop is well-suited for students, professionals, and casual users who need a reliable and budget-friendly device for general use.

The HP Chromebook 14 Laptop offers a decent package for users seeking a budget laptop, especially for tasks related to home, work, and school. Equipped with an Intel Celeron N4120 processor and 4 GB of RAM, it handles basic computing tasks smoothly. However, it may struggle with more demanding applications due to limited processing power and memory. The 64 GB eMMC storage, while fast, offers limited space, which might necessitate external storage solutions for users with larger file needs.

The 14-inch HD display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels is adequate for everyday use, although it lacks the sharpness and clarity of higher-resolution screens. The anti-glare feature helps reduce eye strain during extended use. One of its strong points is the impressive battery life, lasting up to 14 hours, which is great for long days of work or study without frequent recharging. The laptop is lightweight and portable, making it convenient for users on the go.

Build quality is solid, and the design is sleek and modern in Mineral Silver color. Connectivity options are robust with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support, and it includes multiple USB ports for peripheral connections. The Chrome OS provides a secure and user-friendly environment, especially for those familiar with Android apps, but it might not be suitable for users needing Windows-based software. This Chromebook is ideal for students, casual users, and professionals who need a reliable and portable device for everyday tasks, but it may not suffice for heavy multitasking or advanced computing needs.

The HP Stream 14" HD BrightView Laptop is a budget-friendly option suitable for daily tasks and light computing needs. Featuring an Intel Celeron N4120 processor, it provides basic performance for web browsing, document editing, and streaming videos. A standout feature is its impressive 16GB DDR4 RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking, a rarity in this price range. The storage setup includes 128GB eMMC and an additional 160GB from the docking station, offering ample space for files and applications, though the eMMC type may be slower compared to traditional SSDs.

The 14-inch HD display, while not Full HD, delivers decent clarity for everyday use, and the Intel UHD Graphics ensure sufficient quality for standard visual tasks. The laptop is lightweight at 3.24 lbs, making it portable and easy to carry around. It comes with multiple ports including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a media card reader, covering most connectivity needs. With Windows 11 S Mode, users get enhanced security and performance, though it restricts app installation to those available in the Microsoft Store.

Additionally, the package includes a one-year Office 365 subscription, which can be very beneficial for productivity tasks. However, the 720p webcam is fairly standard and might not be ideal for high-quality video calls. Build quality is decent, but not premium, which is expected at this price point. Battery life is adequate for light usage but might struggle with more demanding tasks. This laptop is best suited for students, casual users, or those needing a secondary device for basic chores rather than heavy computing or gaming.