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Short on time? Our top pick is HP EliteBook 830 G8, Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 takes Best 14-Inch Renewed, while ASUS 14 Laptop takes Best New FHD Laptop.
- Best Laptop Under $250 HP EliteBook 830 G8 Check price
- Best 14-Inch Renewed Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 Check price
- Best New FHD Laptop ASUS 14 Laptop Check price
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The best laptop under $250 is a step up from the under $200 tier: you can get a renewed Core i5 business laptop with 16GB, or a new Windows laptop with a year of Microsoft 365. We mixed both so you can choose between more power and a new unit.
We ranked them by chip, memory and screen. Picks marked Renewed are Amazon Renewed units from third-party sellers, so check the seller's warranty, return window and battery condition before you buy. We checked each Amazon listing on October 23, 2026 and used only the specs the maker or seller lists. We do not list exact prices because Amazon prices change in real time. Use the buttons to see the current price and availability on Amazon before you buy. Scores are our editorial scores out of 10, not Amazon customer ratings.
Best Laptops Under $250 at a Glance
| Award | Laptop | Key Spec | Why It Fits | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Laptop Under $250 | HP EliteBook 830 G8 (Renewed) | Iris Xe | Core i5, 16GB, 512GB | 8.3/10 |
| Best 14-Inch Renewed | Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 (Renewed) | Radeon Vega 6 | Ryzen 5, FHD | 7.9/10 |
| Best New FHD Laptop | ASUS 14 Laptop (Celeron N4500) | Intel UHD | 14" FHD, Microsoft 365 | 7.3/10 |
| Best New HP | HP 14 Laptop (N150) | Intel graphics | N150, Microsoft 365 | 7.1/10 |
| Best Chromebook | HP Chromebook 14a (N4120) | UHD 600 | ChromeOS, 14" | 6.8/10 |
HP EliteBook 830 G8 13.3-inch Laptop, Intel Core i5-1145G7, 16GB, 512GB SSD, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
A renewed EliteBook 830 G8 with an 11th Gen Core i5, 16GB and 512GB at 2.9 lbs.
Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 14-inch Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 4600U, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, Windows 11 Pro (Renewed)
A renewed ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 with a 6-core Ryzen 5 4600U and a 14-inch FHD screen.
ASUS 14-inch Laptop, Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, 14-inch FHD, NumberPad, 1-Year Microsoft 365, Windows 11 S
A new 14-inch FHD laptop with a year of Microsoft 365 at 2.9 lbs.
HP 14-inch Laptop 14-dq6199nr, Intel N150, 4GB RAM, 128GB UFS, HD Display, Windows 11 Home, 1-Year Microsoft 365 Personal, Jet Black
A new HP 14 with an Intel N150, Fast Charge and a year of Microsoft 365.
HP Chromebook 14, Intel Celeron N4120, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, 14-inch HD
An HP Chromebook 14a for Google apps, video and browsing.
In-Depth Reviews
1. New or Renewed Under $250?
Renewed business laptops like the EliteBook 830 G8 and ThinkPad E14 give you far more speed and memory, which matters if you keep many tabs open or use Office all day. New laptops like the HP 14 and ASUS 14 come with a fresh battery, a full warranty and Microsoft 365, but their 4GB of memory limits multitasking.
If you mostly browse and use Google Docs, the HP Chromebook 14a is the simplest choice.
2. Windows in S Mode
The ASUS 14 ships with Windows 11 in S mode, which only runs apps from the Microsoft Store. You can switch out of S mode for free in Settings, but you cannot switch back.
3. HP EliteBook 830 G8 (Renewed): Best Laptop Under $250
The HP EliteBook 830 G8 (Renewed) has an 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1145G7, 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD, with a 13.3-inch 1920 x 1080 screen, a fingerprint reader and Windows 11 Pro in a 2.9 lb body; the listing says Ingram Micro handled it in the US with 30-day returns. A renewed EliteBook 830 G8 with an 11th Gen Core i5, 16GB and 512GB at 2.9 lbs.
4. Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 (Renewed): Best 14-Inch Renewed
The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 (Renewed) has a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 4600U with Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics, 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD, with a 14-inch 1920 x 1080 screen and Windows 11 Pro. A renewed ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 with a 6-core Ryzen 5 4600U and a 14-inch FHD screen.
5. ASUS 14 Laptop (Celeron N4500): Best New FHD Laptop
The ASUS 14 Laptop (Celeron N4500) has a dual-core Intel Celeron N4500, 4GB of memory and 64GB of eMMC storage, with a 14-inch 1920 x 1080 screen, a touchpad NumberPad, a year of Microsoft 365 and a 2.9 lb body. A new 14-inch FHD laptop with a year of Microsoft 365 at 2.9 lbs.
6. HP 14 Laptop (N150): Best New HP
The HP 14 Laptop (N150) has a quad-core Intel N150, 4GB of memory and 128GB of UFS storage, with a 14-inch HD micro-edge screen, a year of Microsoft 365 Personal and HP Fast Charge. A new HP 14 with an Intel N150, Fast Charge and a year of Microsoft 365.
7. HP Chromebook 14a (N4120): Best Chromebook
The HP Chromebook 14a (N4120) has a 4-core Intel Celeron N4120, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, with a 14-inch HD anti-glare micro-edge screen and stereo speakers. An HP Chromebook 14a for Google apps, video and browsing.
How to Choose a Laptop Under $250
Memory
8GB or more for Windows multitasking.
Screen
FHD 1920 x 1080 is sharper than HD.
Storage
128GB or more; 64GB fills quickly with Windows.
Warranty
New units have a maker warranty; check renewed sellers.
Quick Setup Tips
- Install updates: system and driver updates fix bugs and security issues
- Use a balanced power mode: it stretches battery life on long days
- Back up your files: use cloud storage or an external drive
- Add a USB-C hub: it turns a laptop into a desk setup in seconds
- Check the live price: use the buttons to see the current price on Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best laptop under $250?
The renewed HP EliteBook 830 G8 with a Core i5-1145G7, 16GB and a 512GB SSD.
What is the best new laptop under $250?
The ASUS 14 with an FHD screen, or the HP 14 with an Intel N150; both include a year of Microsoft 365.
Is 4GB of memory enough?
For one or two apps at a time; choose 8GB or more for heavier work.
Is a Chromebook under $250 a good choice?
Yes for web-based school and work; check its update end date.
Can you game on a laptop under $250?
Only light browser and older games; none of these has a dedicated GPU.
The Bottom Line
The HP EliteBook 830 G8 is the best laptop under $250 in our check. Choose the ThinkPad E14 Gen 2 for a 14-inch Ryzen pick, or the HP 14 for a new laptop.
