Originally Posted by
c_m_shooter
I don't think any of those are worth upgrading to. You aren't really going to have any meaningful improvement.
This! At your budget, I would suggest to look for something in the second hand market that was originally in the $2,500-3,500 range. Very nice, previously-owned 27.5er hardtails are not too difficult to find these days. Many people who bought them later realized that they prefer full-suspension or are now moving up to 29er mid-plus hardtails.