The 8 Best Laptops for Under $200 in 2021

Best Overall: Lenovo 100E Chromebook

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As far as budget laptops go, the Lenovo 100e Chromebook checks quite a few boxes. Its compact size and lightweight — just 2.7 pounds — make it super portable. The 11.6-inch screen is on the smaller size but provides enough real estate for basic productivity tasks. And with 4GB of RAM, this little Chromebook has enough processing power to keep things running quickly and smoothly.

The Lenovo 100e was designed with students in mind, so it’s suitable for users of all ages. Its rugged build makes it particularly tough against drops and scratches, and the spill-resistant keyboard makes it a safe bet for kids and coffee-drinking multitaskers alike. Because it’s a Chromebook, the 100e runs Google’s Chrome OS, which can feel like a somewhat pared-down operating system if you’re used to more full-featured PCs. But for those that use Google services like G Suite, Gmail, and Google Drive, the single Google sign-on makes for a particularly streamlined experience. It’s speedy, stays powered all day, and is built to last, which is why it’s our top pick for laptops in this price range.

Best for Kids: HP Stream 11

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When looking for a budget-friendly laptop, it’s important that you find a machine that can meet all your expectations. Thankfully, HP has the answer. The HP Stream 11 is a perfect choice whether you’re seeking to work or play with your new laptop. With its 11.6 inch display, 4GB memory, and up to 9 hours of battery life, this laptop will be perfect for you at home or on the go. Equipped with Windows 10 Home, you’ll have the power of a PC at your fingertips without that high-dollar price tag. However, it is also in S mode which limits software compatibility to the Windows app store.

Whether you’re streaming, playing, or tackling spreadsheets, the HP Stream 11 can handle it all. Compact and powerful, it's both the perfect first computer the kids and an easy-to-use system for those who aren’t as tech-savvy.

Best for High School Students: Samsung Chromebook 3 XE500C13

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When it comes to being school-ready, knowing that the student in your life needs a laptop to stay on top of their studies can be a little worrisome. After all, computers can be so expensive. But there’s a way to ensure your academic scholar gets all that they need at a price you’ll love. The Samsung XE500C13 is here to keep them on-task and caught up on all their school work. 

With up to 11 hours of battery life, after a single charge, they can bring it to class and work all day until they come home. The 11.6-inch screen makes this laptop the perfect size for carrying in their backpack and moving around between classes. Better yet, it has a spill-resistant keyboard for any cafeteria mishaps. As a Chromebook, it does have its software limitations, but for the student needing to write essays or do online homework, it’s an excellent option. 

Best for College Students: ASUS Vivobook 11 TBCL432B

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When sending your kids off to college, you want to make sure they have everything they’ll need to succeed. While doing so can sometimes be an expensive undertaking, their laptop doesn't have to be. Enter the Asus TBCL432B. This 11.6-inch screen machine comes with 4GB of memory and 32GB eMMC flash memory, making it compatible with mobile devices like phones and tablets.

It comes pre-installed with Windows 10 S, but it’s easy to switch out of S mode to allow your student access to programs they might not find in the Windows Store. A lightweight and compact design makes it ideal for travel. Whether they’re working in the library or in their dorm, your college student can move around and set up with ease, wherever their destination. It also has a decent battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge. 

While it won’t be able to keep up with performance-hungry apps, it comes in handy for writing essays, completing online homework, and tackling research projects. Since its capacity is limited, though, you might want to look into external storage devices in case it runs out.

Best for Kids: ASUS C202SA Chromebook

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For kids involved in at-home learning, the ASUS Chromebook C202SA is an excellent computer for schoolwork. With a tough-as-nails design and excellent battery life, this little laptop can last all day through both work and play. The C202SA protects your investment with drop resistance up to 4 feet and rubber bumpers that allow for better grip. The spill-resistant keyboard also has extra-large characters to help kids who may still be learning to type. These features are a benefit for kids, but they also give the C202SA a somewhat childlike appearance that may not appeal to older users.

The 11.6-inch screen is small but high-definition. And with an Intel Celeron N3060 processor and 4GB of Ram, performance is speedy and it can quickly switch between apps. This laptop runs Chrome OS, which gives users access to the apps in the Google Play store along with automatic security updates.

Best Lightweight: ASUS VivoBook L203MA

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For students and commuters, a lightweight laptop can literally take the weight off your shoulders. A lot of budget laptops tend to be heavy, and at barely over two pounds the ASUS Vivobook L203MA stands out for its super-portable design. Like most of the other laptops on this list, the Vivobook sports an 11.6-inch screen, which is small but also makes it easier to fit in a bag or backpack. Its 10-hour battery life is also great for those on the go. The Vivobook includes a surprisingly wide array of port options (USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, and an SD card slot) that make it easier to connect to peripheral devices like the pesky screen in the conference room.

The Vivobook L203MA is a little bit over the $200 price point, but with an Intel Celeron N4000 Processor, 4GB of RAM, a fast Wi-Fi connection, and expandable card storage, its performance may help justify the extra expense. If you need a budget-priced laptop for business, this laptop has the specs to get the job done.

Best Big Screen: HP Stream 14

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The HP Stream 14 is a bit outside our $200 budget, but there are so many small screens on this list that we wanted to include one roomier option. For those who like some extra screen real estate, this laptop from HP is one of the few that can be bought new in this price range. The processing power on this machine is decent but not great — the 4GB of memory will help with multitasking and app-switching, but the RAM is not upgradeable and the dual-core processor isn’t really cut out for demanding applications. At 2.8 pounds, the HP Stream 14 is surprisingly portable for its size, making it a good option for students or business people who want a larger screen for productivity tasks.

The most disappointing spec here is the onboard storage. 32GB is pretty paltry for a laptop, and HP leverages it by offering 1TB of free cloud storage through Microsoft’s OneDrive service. Unfortunately, that free trial expires after a year, so if you end up using the cloud, keep in mind that it will become an annual expense. If you currently use or want to use OneDrive, or if you already have all your files in a cloud of your choice, then the skimpy onboard storage isn’t too big a deal.