Buying Guide
The Best Mini PCs Under $300: Our Picks
We looked at 5 mini PCs under $300 side by side, with the trade-offs that separate them and who each one suits.
By Jamie Cole, Lead Product Researcher
9 min read5 products evaluated
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At this price tier, RAM and storage configuration matters more for real-world usability than processor branding, worth checking that 8GB or more RAM is included rather than assuming a low sticker price automatically means an underpowered machine.
Entry-level chips at this budget suit lighter tasks like browsing, email, and document editing well, worth setting realistic expectations rather than expecting demanding multitasking or content creation performance under $300.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Mini PC Under $300 Overall
Barebone Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (up to 3.7GHz), Without RAM/Storage
Buyers wanting a genuine Ryzen chip and the flexibility to choose their own RAM and storage
Our take Check price for Barebone Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (up to 3.7GHz), Without RAM/Storage (opens in a new tab)
Best Value Complete Build Under $300
GMKtec G3 Pro Mini PC Barebone Intel Core i3-10110U (Beats 4415U)
Buyers wanting Intel's mature driver ecosystem at a low price under $300
Our take Check price for GMKtec G3 Pro Mini PC Barebone Intel Core i3-10110U (Beats 4415U) (opens in a new tab)
Best Complete Build Under $300
GMKtec G3S Mini PC Intel N95 Processor (Up to 3.4GHz) 8GB RAM
Buyers wanting a complete, ready-to-use machine with RAM included, no assembly required
Our take Check price for GMKtec G3S Mini PC Intel N95 Processor (Up to 3.4GHz) 8GB RAM (opens in a new tab)
Best Intel Core i3 Complete Build
GMKtec Mini PC Intel Core i3-10110U Processor 8GB DDR4 256GB SSD
Buyers wanting a complete Intel-based build under $300 with no assembly required
Our take Check price for GMKtec Mini PC Intel Core i3-10110U Processor 8GB DDR4 256GB SSD (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget N95 Complete Build
GMKtec Mini PC Computers Intel N95 Processor (Turbo 3.4GHz)
Budget-conscious buyers comparing entry-level complete builds for lighter everyday tasks
Our take Check price for GMKtec Mini PC Computers Intel N95 Processor (Turbo 3.4GHz) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Mini PC Under $300 Overall1 of 5
Barebone Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (up to 3.7GHz), Without RAM/Storage on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A genuine Ryzen 5 3500U barebone chassis at a very low starting price, appropriate for buyers wanting to add their own RAM and storage to stay well total.
Best for
- Buyers wanting a genuine Ryzen chip and the flexibility to choose their own RAM and storage
Why we like it
Genuine Ryzen 5 processor tier at a very low barebone price. On value, it comes in below GMKtec G3 Pro Mini PC Barebone Intel Core i3-10110U, which is worth weighing if cost is your deciding factor between the two. On the other side, Requires self-installation of RAM and storage components.
Key dimensions & specs
- AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, up to 3.7GHz
- Barebone, no RAM/storage included
- Very low starting price
- Genuine Ryzen processor tier
Pros
- Genuine Ryzen 5 processor tier at a very low barebone price
- Flexibility to choose your own RAM and storage capacity
- Low sticker price leaves budget room for good components
- Compact form factor for a small desk
Cons
- Barebone listing excludes RAM and storage, factor in added cost
- Verify current reviews as this is a newer listing
- Requires self-installation of RAM and storage components
Best Value Complete Build Under $3002 of 5
GMKtec G3 Pro Mini PC Barebone Intel Core i3-10110U (Beats 4415U) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A genuine Intel Core i3-10110U chip at a low starting price, appropriate for buyers wanting Intel's mature driver ecosystem well.
Best for
- Buyers wanting Intel's mature driver ecosystem at a low price under $300
Why we like it
On the other side, Verify current reviews as this is a newer listing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Intel Core i3-10110U
- Very low starting price
- Genuine Intel Core i3 tier
- Verify RAM/storage inclusion
Pros
- Genuine Intel Core i3 processor tier at a low starting price
- Mature Intel driver support for everyday tasks
- Low price leaves budget room for good components if barebone
- Compact form factor for a small desk
Cons
- Verify whether RAM and storage are included in this specific listing
- 10th-gen Intel is an older chip generation
- Verify current reviews as this is a newer listing
Best Complete Build Under $3003 of 5
GMKtec G3S Mini PC Intel N95 Processor (Up to 3.4GHz) 8GB RAM on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A complete build including 8GB RAM at this budget tier, appropriate for buyers wanting a ready-to-use machine without sourcing separate RAM and storage.
Best for
- Buyers wanting a complete, ready-to-use machine with RAM included, no assembly required
Why we like it
On the other side, Verify current reviews as this is a newer listing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Intel N95, Up to 3.4GHz
- 8GB RAM included
- Complete, ready-to-use build
- low-cost price
Pros
- 8GB RAM already included, no separate component sourcing needed
- Efficient low-power chip for always-on desktop use
- Mature Intel driver support for everyday tasks
- Complete build stays comfortably under $300
Cons
- Entry-level N95 processor suits only lighter everyday tasks
- 8GB RAM may feel tight for heavier multitasking
- Verify current reviews as this is a newer listing
Best Intel Core i3 Complete Build4 of 5
GMKtec Mini PC Intel Core i3-10110U Processor 8GB DDR4 256GB SSD on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
A genuine Core i3 chip with 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD already included, appropriate for buyers wanting a complete Intel-based build.
Best for
- Buyers wanting a complete Intel-based build under $300 with no assembly required
Why we like it
The real tradeoff against that pick: 10th-gen Intel is an older chip generation. On the other side, Verify current reviews before purchase.
Key dimensions & specs
- Intel Core i3-10110U
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 256GB SSD
- Complete, ready-to-use build
Pros
- Genuine Intel Core i3 chip for mature driver support
- 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD already included, no assembly required
- Reasonable storage headroom for documents and applications
- Competitive complete-build price under $300
Cons
- 10th-gen Intel is an older chip generation
- 8GB RAM may feel tight for heavier multitasking
- Verify current reviews before purchase
Best Budget N95 Complete Build5 of 5
GMKtec Mini PC Computers Intel N95 Processor (Turbo 3.4GHz) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Another efficient N95-based complete build, appropriate for buyers comparing similarly priced entry-level options for lighter everyday tasks.
Best for
- Budget-conscious buyers comparing entry-level complete builds for lighter everyday tasks
Why we like it
On the other side, Not appropriate for demanding multitasking workflows.
Key dimensions & specs
- Intel N95, Turbo 3.4GHz
- Complete, ready-to-use build
- low-cost price
- Efficient low-power design
Pros
- Efficient low-power chip for always-on desktop use
- Complete build stays comfortably under $300
- Mature Intel driver support for everyday tasks
- Compact form factor for a small desk
Cons
- Entry-level N95 processor suits only lighter everyday tasks
- Verify current reviews and exact RAM/storage configuration
- Not appropriate for demanding multitasking workflows
How We Chose These Mini PCs Under $300
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- RAM and storage inclusion checked over processor branding alone
- Checked whether 8GB or more RAM is included rather than assuming a low sticker price automatically means an underpowered machine.
- Realistic performance expectations set for entry-level chips
- Set realistic expectations that entry-level chips at this budget suit lighter tasks well, rather than expecting demanding multitasking performance.
- Barebone versus complete-build listings distinguished clearly
- Distinguished barebone listings requiring separate RAM and storage purchase from complete, ready-to-use builds at this price tier.
- Intel versus AMD driver maturity considered for budget chips
- Considered driver maturity differences between entry-level Intel and AMD chips for everyday budget-tier use.
What to Look for in a Mini PC Under $300
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match RAM and storage to your actual workload, not just the headline spec
Mini PC listings often lead with a large RAM number like 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB, but the amount you actually need depends heavily on what you're running: basic web browsing and office work is comfortable at 8 to 16GB, while running multiple virtual machines, a Plex transcoding server, or memory-hungry emulation benefits from 32GB or more.
Buying far more RAM than your workload needs is simply wasted money, while buying too little means the system will lean on slower disk-based swap memory under load, causing real stuttering that a spec sheet number won't warn you about.
Check whether the RAM is soldered (fixed at purchase) or user-upgradeable via SO-DIMM slots, since a soldered configuration means you're locked into whatever capacity you buy today with no future upgrade path.
Understand what the CPU generation and core count actually mean for your use case
A mini PC's processor model number (like an Intel N100, N150, or a specific AMD Ryzen model) tells you its generation and general performance tier, but raw core count and clock speed matter less than how well that specific chip handles your actual workload, since a low-power efficiency chip like the N100 is fine for a home server or media player but will bottleneck video editing or modern gaming badly.
This distinction matters because two mini PCs can list similar-sounding specs while being built around completely different design goals, one optimized for low power draw and silence, the other for sustained performance under load.
Look up independent benchmark results for the exact CPU model rather than trusting a generic "powerful" or "fast" marketing description, since chip model numbers are the one spec that translates directly to comparable real-world performance data.
Check whether the mini PC includes dedicated graphics or relies on integrated graphics alone
Most mini PCs rely on integrated graphics built into the CPU itself, which handles everyday desktop use, video playback, and light gaming fine, but a genuine dedicated GPU or officially supported external GPU (EGPU) connection is a meaningfully different tier needed for serious gaming or GPU-accelerated video editing work.
This is a real distinguishing feature worth checking specifically, since "mini PC" as a category spans everything from a fanless office box with no gaming capability at all to a compact system that can be paired with an external GPU enclosure for near-desktop gaming performance.
If your use case involves gaming or GPU-accelerated tasks, check explicitly for a dedicated GPU or a confirmed Oculink/Thunderbolt EGPU connection rather than assuming any mini PC can be upgraded that way.
Confirm the exact port selection matches your real peripherals, not just the port count
A mini PC's small size means its port selection is fixed at purchase with essentially no room for internal expansion the way a desktop tower allows, so the specific mix of USB versions, display outputs, and networking ports listed matters far more here than on a full-size computer.
Check specifically for the number and type of display outputs if you run multiple monitors, since some budget mini PCs only support two displays despite having enough physical ports to suggest otherwise, and check for dual Ethernet ports specifically if you're planning a home server, router, or NAS build that benefits from network redundancy or link aggregation.
Count your actual peripherals and required display outputs against the listed ports before buying, since there's no expansion card slot to add what's missing later on most mini PC designs.
Weigh fanless passive cooling against active cooling for your noise and thermal tolerance
Mini PCs use either active cooling (an internal fan that spins up under load) or fully passive fanless cooling (relying entirely on the metal chassis itself to dissipate heat), and this choice is a genuine tradeoff rather than one being strictly better: fanless designs run completely silent and have no moving parts to fail, but they also throttle performance under sustained heavy load once the passive heatsink reaches its thermal limit, something an actively cooled system with a fan can sustain longer.
This matters concretely for anyone running a 24/7 home server or media server in a bedroom or living room, where fan noise is a real annoyance, versus anyone running sustained CPU-heavy workloads like video transcoding, where a fanless design may throttle noticeably during long jobs.
Check whether cooling is explicitly described as fanless/passive or fan-cooled/active, and match that to whether silence or sustained performance matters more for where this mini PC will actually live.
How to Choose a Mini PC Under $300
| Recommended pick in this comparison | |
|---|---|
| Light everyday or office use | |
| GMKtec Mini PC Computers Intel N95 Processor |
| GMKtec Mini PC Intel Core i3-10110U Processor 8GB DDR4 256GB SSD | |
| No firm budget ceiling, prioritizing CPU or RAM | GMKtec Mini PC Computers Intel N95 Processor |
Fanless (Passive) vs Actively Cooled
- Completely silent with no moving parts, at the cost of throttling under sustained heavy load. In this comparison: check each listing's cooling design directly.
- Sustains heavier workloads longer without throttling, at the cost of some fan noise under load. In this comparison: Barebone Mini PC, GMKtec G3 Pro Mini PC Barebone Intel Core i3-10110U, GMKtec G3S Mini PC Intel N95 Processor.
Default to a fanless pick like Barebone Mini PC for a quiet home office or media setup, and step up to active cooling if you're running sustained CPU-heavy work.
By RAM and Storage Headroom
| Maximum RAM and storage headroom | GMKtec Mini PC Computers Intel N95 Processor |
|---|
For GPU-Accelerated Work or Gaming Specifically
- A dedicated GPU or a confirmed Oculink/Thunderbolt EGPU connection explicitly stated in the listing, not just a generic "gaming capable" claim.
- No pick in this specific comparison explicitly confirms dedicated or external GPU support; check our EGPU-focused mini PC roundup if that's a hard requirement.
- You want what GMKtec Mini PC Computers Intel N95 Processor offers: Efficient low-power chip for always-on desktop use. That's a real functional upgrade over the budget picks here, not just a brand markup.
- Barebone Mini PC already covers the essentials: Genuine Ryzen 5 processor tier at a very low barebone price. The main thing you'd be paying extra for elsewhere in this list is headroom you may not need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do mini PCs under $300 come with RAM included?
Not always, some are barebone listings requiring separate RAM and storage purchase, verify this before comparing prices.
Can a mini PC under $300 handle real work?
For lighter tasks like browsing, email, and document editing, yes, but set realistic expectations for demanding multitasking or content creation.
What's the difference between barebone and complete mini PC listings?
Barebone listings exclude RAM and storage, requiring separate purchase and self-installation, complete builds are ready to use out of the box.
Is 8GB RAM enough for a budget mini PC?
For lighter everyday tasks, yes, but it may feel tight for heavier multitasking, consider more RAM if your workflow demands it.
Bottom Line
Best overall: Barebone Mini PC, AMD Ryzen 5 3500U (up to 3.7GHz), Without RAM/Storage — best mini pc under $300 overall pick in this roundup. See the full verdicts above for every pick, with pros, cons and who each one suits.
Browse all mini pcs under $300 on Amazon — Prime-eligible options with current pricing.