Best Laptops Under £300 in 2025 UK

Laptop Reviews

10 February, 2025

by Cal Landed Senior Writer and Researcher

Introduction

There are no changes since last month for the best 3 choices. Here they are again. The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX3402CBA, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (sometimes just above 300) and the ACER Aspire 1 as our winners. Finding the right laptop on a budget of just 300 quid is tough. With 2025 offering a thin range of options under £300 in the UK, this guide aims to highlight top contenders to help you make an informed choice. We focus on finding a machine that can do limited applications well. Chromebooks tend to win at this price category.

Top Picks with Detailed Reviews

1. ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34

  • Price: £279
  • Key Features:
    • Operating System: Chrome OS
    • RAM: 8 GB
    • Processor: 12th Gen Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 7000
    • Storage: 128 GB
    • Display: 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080p)
    • Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
  • Expert Insights: The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 is renowned for its solid performance and robust battery life. Its high-quality keyboard makes it an excellent choice for students and everyday users.

    Jensonator from Amazon "I use this beast for all my office work and do not miss Windows at all. The processor is really snappy and it handles multitasking effortlessly. The touchscreen and track pad are super responsive and it feels very premium Solid metal body but compact and lightweight. Resolution could be higher but I find most content looks great. Being fan-less you may find prolonged video editing will warm things up a little... But a cooling stand really compensates well. You won't needv this unless you're really pushing the i7 chipset with some serious demand. It's cool as a cucumber with standard use. Tablet mode is great for art work and taking notes with a USI pen. The built in pen is okay for brief use but has short battery life so maybe pick up the latest from Penoval...I find it works well with this machine. It's handled everything I've thrown at it so far and at the knock down price it's well worth the spend. It stops receiving updates in 2029 but that's plenty of use! I'd say try it... It's brilliant."

2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3

Lenovo IdeaPad 3

  • Price: £299.99

  • Key Features:

    • Operating System: Windows 11 S
    • RAM: 8 GB DDR4-SDRAM
    • Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
    • Storage: 256 GB SSD
    • Display: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080p)
    • Battery Life: Good (Details unspecified)
  • User Feedback: Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is praised for its strong battery life and effective sound system. However, its display is somewhat dim, and the build feels less premium.

    Lesley from Amazon "Great laptop and fantastic price. After using Windows 7 for many years, upgrading to Windows 11 seemed a huge step. But after a bit of trial and error it's so easy. Fast start up. Screen and sound quality is excellent. Lovely and lightweight as well. Excellent battery life. Depending on what your actually doing (browsing, streaming or using Office etc) battery can last upto 6.5 - 7 hours. Highly recommend."

3. ACER Aspire 1

ACER Aspire 1

  • Price: £199

  • Key Features:

    • Operating System: Windows 10 S
    • RAM: 4 GB
    • Processor: Intel Celeron N4500
    • Storage: 128 GB eMMC
    • Display: 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080p)
    • Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
  • User Opinions: Known for its strong battery life and engaging display, ACER Aspire 1 is a practical choice. However, its basic audio quality and clunky design are noted drawbacks.

    Rick from Amazon "Very nice-looking laptop; so slim, but it actually feels quite weighty and well made. Easy to set up. All apps work well without any issues; takes just a few seconds to connect to the Internet. Ticks all the boxes. Great price and fast delivery (next day!). Would recommend."

Comparison Table

Laptop ModelPriceOperating SystemRAMStorageDisplay SizeBattery Life
ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34£279Chrome OS8 GB128 GB14-inchUp to 10 hours
Lenovo IdeaPad 3£299.99Windows 11 S8 GB256 GB15.6-inchGood
ACER Aspire 1£199Windows 10 S4 GB128 GB14-inchUp to 8 hours
You may be interested in this related subject best laptops under 600

Buying Guide

When choosing a laptop under £300, consider these factors:

  • Operating System: Impacts software availability and user experience.
  • Performance: Essential to match processor type and RAM with your task demands.
  • Storage: SSD offers faster and more reliable performance than eMMC.
  • Display and Portability: Think about screen size and resolution to meet your needs. Battery life is crucial for mobility.
  • Build Quality and Design: Aesthetics and practicality both play a role in your satisfaction.

Conclusion

The ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 stands out among budget laptops in 2025. It offers reliability and efficiency, providing the best value under £300. Whether you're a student or a daily user, these laptops cater to various needs without breaking the bank.

For more on laptop components and optimizing performance, check out our guide on laptop components.

Sources

  • Reddit forums
  • Amazon customer reviews
  • Expertreviews.com - The best laptops to buy in 2025: Tried and tested options for every budget. This influenced by their under 500 pounds winner the CX34.