Plenty of laptops, from budget to deluxe, are available in all shapes and sizes. But what if you spend most of your computing time online, surfing the web or answering emails or creating documents in Google Workspace or Microsoft Office Online? What if you’d rather spend a few hundred dollars than $1,000 or more? A Chromebook could be right for you.
Chromebooks don’t offer libraries of powerful programs like Windows or macOS laptops, but their web-centric operation—most of what they do happens in the Google Chrome browser—and low prices make them ideal for streaming and social media and online productivity (though they do let you work on documents offline). Wildly popular in K-12 classrooms, they’ve also made inroads in corporate offices for their easy manageability. We’ve listed some of our favorite Chromebooks in different categories below. Check them out, then keep reading for guidance on choosing the right model for you.
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More About Our Picks
Best Chromebook for Most People
Bottom Line:
Except for being a few ounces overweight, it’s hard to knock Acer’s 14-inch, AMD Ryzen-based Chromebook Spin 514 as a versatile, affordable 2-in-1 laptop.
Pros
- Perky quad-core Ryzen performance
- HDMI port
- Plenty of memory and storage
- Pleasing display and keyboard
Cons
- Heavy in tablet mode
- Wi-Fi 5, not 6
- Flash instead of SSD storage
Why We Picked It
The “5” in the model number of Acer’s Chromebook Spin 514 indicates it’s a middle or mainstream model—the company’s economy and deluxe systems start with “3” and “7,” respectively—and the “14” signifies its 14-inch screen size, also a middle choice between compact and desktop-replacement displays. If you’re starting to think of the Spin 514 as a Goldilocks Chromebook, one that’s just right for most consumers, you’re on the right track: This 3.6-pound machine offers a splendid mix of performance, portability, and affordability, as well as being a versatile 2-in-1 convertible for occasional presentations or use as a tablet.
Who It’s For
The Spin 514’s quad-core AMD Ryzen CPU outruns the Intel Celeron and ARM processors of many low-cost Chromebooks; its standard memory, storage, keyboard, and screen are all above average; and it has an HDMI port for plugging in an external monitor instead of making you fuss with a USB-C adapter as most Chromebooks do. It’s a terrific all-around option for students, families, and kids.
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2022)
Best High-End Chromebook
Bottom Line:
It’s pricey for a Chromebook, but Acer’s Chromebook Spin 713 remains a world-class alternative to Windows convertibles.
Pros
- Tall, high-res touch screen
- Snappy performance
- HDMI, Thunderbolt 4, and USB-A ports
- Roomy 256GB SSD instead of eMMC flash storage
Cons
- Rather costly for a Chromebook
- Half a pound overweight
- No stylus or fingerprint reader
Why We Picked It
Both its price ($699.99) and weight (3.2 pounds) are high enough to make you hesitate a moment instead of making an impulse buy, but the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 is as good as Chromebooks get if you’re looking for a genuine alternative to a Windows convertible laptop. The system’s flagship feature is a 13.5-inch high-resolution touch screen with a squarish 3:2 aspect ratio that gives you ample views of documents or webpages with less scrolling, and it combines a speedy 11th Generation Intel Core i5 processor with a faster, roomier 256GB solid-state drive instead of the skimpy eMMC flash storage of many Chromebooks. State-of-the-art Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and USB Type-A ports are provided, too, though a stylus pen isn’t.
Who It’s For
The Spin 713 is a productivity powerhouse; it’s overkill for casual surfing and email (and shorter 16:9 aspect ratio screens are arguably better for streaming video). But while it’s too much laptop for grade schoolers, it’s an ideal choice for small business entrepreneurs or combined home and office duty.
Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook (2021)
A Solid Alternative to the Spin 514
Bottom Line:
Chromebooks with poky processors and cramped flash storage dominate the market, but Lenovo’s fair-priced IdeaPad Flex 5 shows how a Chromebook can benefit from an Intel Core CPU and a “true” onboard SSD.
Pros
- Peppy performance
- Handsome design sneaks under 3 pounds
- Responsive keyboard
Cons
- No HDMI port
- Slightly dim display
Why We Picked It
Did you think the Acer Spin 514 would be the only all-around appealing Chromebook on our list? Attention, Costco shoppers: The $549.99 Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook with Intel Core i3 CPU is not only a superior alternative to Celeron-powered base models sold elsewhere but one of the nicest Chromebook convertibles we’ve seen. This 13.3-inch laptop profits from an ample 8GB of memory and 128GB NVMe solid-state drive yet comes in at under 3 pounds (2.97 pounds if you have a butcher’s scale handy). Its handsome Abyss Blue design boasts a backlit keyboard and USB-A and two USB-C ports (though an HDMI port and included stylus would have been welcome).
Who It’s For
Though aimed at consumers, the IdeaPad Flex 5 is not half bad as a budget-minded businessperson’s substitute for another of our favorites, Lenovo’s ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook. It would also stand head and shoulders above many of the modest Chromebooks found in K-12 classrooms.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Best Chromebook Tablet
Bottom Line:
You can find faster and cheaper conventional Chromebooks, but the new Duet outshines the recently reviewed HP Chromebook x2 if you’d like a tablet that doubles as a laptop. It earns an Editors’ Choice award as a premium Chromebook detachable.
Pros
- Superb OLED display in an under-$500 detachable
- High-quality front and rear cameras
- Comes with keyboard cover and kickstand
Cons
- Ho-hum compute performance
- No audio jack, or 4G or 5G LTE option
- Stylus supported, but costs extra
Why We Picked It
As with Windows, most 2-in-1 Chromebooks are convertibles whose keyboards flip and fold under their displays. Lenovo’s IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is a detachable that jettisons its keyboard to become a genuine tablet—and a stunning one, with an ultra-colorful, ultra-high-contrast 13.3-inch OLED touch screen. Considering that it costs less than $500, the Duet 5’s display puts even Microsoft’s ritzy Surface Pro 8 Windows tablet to shame. It makes up for the facts that its Qualcomm Snapdragon CPU isn’t the fastest and Lenovo charges an extra $33 for a stylus (but, unlike Microsoft, includes the keyboard cover).
Who It’s For
With impressively sharp 5-megapixel front and 8-megapixel rear cameras, the IdeaPad Duet 5 is a nifty 1.54-pound tablet that turns into a handy 2.24-pound laptop when you attach its keyboard cover and kickstand. (The former isn’t a match for a real laptop keyboard, but tablet keyboards never are, and its typing feel is actually pretty good.) It’s a bargain alternative to a Surface Go 3 or Apple iPad Air for students and families.
Best Budget Chromebook Tablet
Bottom Line:
Budget-strapped consumers and students with light computing needs will be captivated by Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet, a detachable 2-in-1 that tops better-known 2-in-1 tablets on value.
Pros
- Low price includes keyboard
- Handy tablet gestures and Android phone integration
- Decent cameras
- Good battery life
Cons
- Tepid performance
- Only one USB port and no headphone jack
- Cramped keyboard
- No memory card slot
Why We Picked It
Don’t confuse the Lenovo Chromebook Duet with the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook we just discussed—it’s a smaller 10.1-inch tablet with detachable keyboard and back-panel kickstand, and its screen uses the familiar IPS instead of fancy OLED technology. But the Chromebook Duet is a thrifty $299.99, has a relatively generous 128GB of eMMC onboard storage, and gives you a more than generous 13-plus hours of battery life.
Who It’s For
It’s short on ports (just one USB-C, with a 3.5mm audio adapter for your headphones), but the Duet is a versatile, affordable gadget with more functionality than an Android-only tablet. It’s a great classroom companion.
Best High-End Chromebook Tablet
Bottom Line:
Its performance trails that of conventional Chromebooks, but HP’s Chromebook x2 is an attractive 11-inch tablet with keyboard, kickstand, and pen all in the box.
Pros
- Affordable price includes pen and keyboard cover
- Available 4G mobile broadband
Cons
- Tepid performance
- No headphone jack
- Wi-Fi 5, not 6 or 6E
Why We Picked It
Torn between Apple’s 10.9-inch iPad Air and HP’s 11-inch Chromebook x2? Both are lightweight tablets (1 pound for the Apple, a pound and a quarter for the HP) you can operate with your fingers or with a stylus or snap-on keyboard cover, and each costs $599. But the Chromebook x2 comes with the stylus and keyboard, while the iPad Air charges an extra $428 for them. Decided yet?
Who It’s For
The Qualcomm-powered HP is slower than a conventional Chromebook laptop at the same price, and it doesn’t have a headphone jack. But it’s available with LTE mobile broadband for connectivity when you’re away from Wi-Fi hotspots, and its Gorilla Glass touch screen with 3:2 aspect ratio is both pleasing to the eye and easy to hold. If you’re seeking an iPad alternative for on-the-go productivity, especially with LTE, it fills a nifty niche.
HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook
Best Chromebook for Business
Bottom Line:
Its price will scare off casual consumers, but HP’s flagship Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is a brilliant argument for Chrome OS in business.
Pros
- Thin and light
- Beautiful 3:2 aspect ratio touch screen
- Snappy backlit keyboard with haptic touchpad
- Great performance, connectivity, webcam, and sound
- Fingerprint reader and magnetic pen
Cons
- High price only makes sense for business use
- Windows users will have to learn new keyboard shortcuts
Why We Picked It
If any Chromebook makes the case for ChromeOS in the workplace, the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook is it. The price alone ($1,149) will keep it from showing up in classrooms, but it backs up the expense with impressive features, like a haptic touchpad, a built-in fingerprint reader, a magnetic pen, and a gorgeous 3:2 touch screen that’s made to get things done. With an Intel Core i5-1245U processor and 256GB SSD under the hood, it’s exceptionally powerful, and Intel’s vPro IT management and security is baked in (a Chromebook first). Pack all of that into a sleek 2-in-1 design, it’s arguably the most advanced Chrome-based laptop we’ve ever seen.
Privacy features like a fingerprint reader and integrated camera shutter will appeal to the security wonks out there, while the convertible design, Android app support and HP’s QuickDrop smartphone file transfer software make it a hugely flexible productivity machine. You even get a free year of Parallels Desktop, opening up the entire world of Windows programs, so you can transition to ChromeOS without missing a beat.
Who It’s For
If your daily work already relies on Google’s productivity suite and a handful of Android apps, then this is a no-brainer for your next office machine. But even the Windows faithful may want to give it a second look, as the collected features and functionality are superb, and IT managers might just thank you for making the switch.
Dell Chromebook 11 (3100)
Best Chromebook for Kids
Bottom Line:
Designed to withstand the rigors of daily life in the classroom, at home, and in between, the Dell Chromebook 11 hits a trifecta: rugged, affordable, and great for kids.
Pros
- Compact
- Sturdy, kid-friendly design
- Spill-resistant keyboard
- Optional LTE
- Plenty of USB ports
- Reasonably priced accidental damage coverage
Cons
- Poor Wi-Fi signal reception
- Display limited to 1,366 by 768 resolution
- No SD card reader
- Clumsy touchpad
Why We Picked It
School districts and parents have plenty of bargain-priced Chromebooks to pick from. Those choosing Dell’s Chromebook 11 (model 3100) for their grade-school scholars will get a lot for their $239: an 11.6-inch laptop with corner bumpers designed to survive 30-inch drops onto a steel surface, as well as water or juice-box keyboard spills. Its rugged construction makes the 3100 kind of bulky for its screen size, but it’s handsomely finished in black textured plastic and offers a comfortable typing experience and no fewer than four USB ports.
Who It’s For
It’s hard to get excited about its small, low-resolution display, but the Dell Chromebook 11 combines reasonably peppy browsing performance with sturdy design (made even more reassuring by the low $60 price for four years of accidental damage protection). Give it to your kids and let them have at it.
Best ARM-Based Chromebook
Bottom Line:
The Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 is an excellent 2-in-1 convertible Chrome OS laptop with speedy performance, a reliable touchscreen, and an included stylus.
Pros
- Includes a stylus
- Includes multiple USB-C ports
- Lightweight
- Excellent performance
Cons
- Clumsy touchpad
- Glossy display is prone to glare
- Disappointing battery life
Why We Picked It
Can’t decide between a laptop and tablet for your everyday surfing and email sorting? Wallet not exactly overflowing? The Asus Chromebook Flip CM3 will make your friends think you spent a lot more than $429. This convertible has a handsome 12-inch touch screen with a squarish 3:2 aspect ratio and is exceptionally trim at 2.5 pounds, a pound or more lighter than 2-in-1’s that can be no fun to hold in tablet mode. We’ve noted that Chromebooks with ARM processors, though adequate, tend to be slower than systems with Intel or AMD x86 chips, but the Asus is one of the peppier ARM systems we’ve tested.
Who It’s For
Consumers and students seeking convertible versatility on a budget will find the Flip CM3 easy to like. Its battery life could be better (we saw just under six and a half hours of video playback), but it’s a capable choice for online productivity and entertainment.
Best Giant-Screen Chromebook
Bottom Line:
Chromebook buffs need no longer be jealous of 17-inch Windows laptops—the Acer Chromebook 317 is a budget-priced, big-screen browsing machine.
Pros
- Jumbo 1080p display
- Comfortable-feel keyboard
- Two USB-C and two USB-A ports, plus a microSD card slot
- Low price
Cons
- No HDMI port or backlit keyboard
- Tepid performance
- Screen could be brighter
- Weak sound
Why We Picked It
Chromebooks are about the only laptop segment where you’ll still see ultra-compact 11.6-inch systems, and 15.6-inch desktop replacements are rarer than they are in the Windows marketplace—13.3- and 14-inch displays dominate. But Acer hasn’t forgotten fans of jumbo 17.3-inch panels—the company’s Chromebook 317 is an inexpensive unit with a modest Intel Celeron processor and eMMC storage instead of a solid-state drive, but its plus-size screen offers full 1080p resolution for enjoying streaming video or simply serving as a family-room internet kiosk and homework station.
Who It’s For
At 5.18 pounds, this is among the heftiest Chromebooks you can buy, but it’s still easy to move from room to room if not to work on an airline tray table. If you spend many happy hours logged into Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Peacock, or just appreciate an extra-large view of Google Docs (some of us wear bifocals, you know), the big Acer could be just the ticket.
How to Buy a Chromebook
Most Chromebooks lack the powerful hardware of gaming laptops or mobile workstations, but most don’t need it. Because you’ll be visiting websites and running apps within ChromeOS, which is basically a souped-up version of the Chrome browser, the technical barrier to entry is low. This also frees you from downloading and installing traditional software; if you can’t do something from a standard webpage, chances are you’ll be able to from one of the thousands of apps and extensions available to ChromeOS users.
With just a few clicks, your Chromebook can have almost as much functionality as a budget Windows laptop, and most recent Chromebooks also let you install any app designed for the Android mobile OS. (Older or deeply discounted Chromebooks may lack Android support; you can check this list(Opens in a new window) for the model you’re considering.) This means both the browser-based and Android versions of Microsoft Office are available if you want an alternative to Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
(Photo: Molly Flores)
One primary benefit of running web-based software is security. For all intents and purposes, Chromebooks are immune to the viruses and other malware that often plague Windows systems. ChromeOS updates also take just seconds to complete, rather than the minutes or hours you may have to wait for macOS and Windows to do their update thing. And although easy access to an always-on internet connection is a must for Chromebooks, you can perform most standard tasks offline and sync up later, so you needn’t stop work if there’s a Wi-Fi connectivity glitch.
(Photo: Molly Flores)
IT management is also easier on ChromeOS. Schools have long taken advantage of Chromebooks’ easy-to-use fleet management tools, but business users got a huge boost when Intel launched vPro Enterprise for Chrome. Intel-powered Chromebooks can now enjoy the same security and management tools offered on other business laptops, without the hassle of Windows. If ChromeOS has been looking like a good fit for your business, it just got even better.
What Are Good Specs for a Chromebook?
When shopping for a Chromebook, you’ll note less hardware variety than with Windows machines. These are the most important specs and factors to be aware of.
SCREEN RESOLUTION. The usual native display resolution on a Chromebook will be 1,920 by 1,080 pixels, otherwise known as full HD or 1080p, but cheaper Chromebooks may have lower resolution while deluxe models may have higher. For most midsize Chromebooks with screens from 13 to 15 inches, 1080p is just fine. Entry-level models’ resolution of 1,366 by 768 pixels can look coarse and is only really suited for laptops with screens smaller than 12 inches diagonally. Try to avoid this resolution on any 13-inch or larger screen, or at least try to eyeball the display in person before you buy.
PROCESSOR. A low-end CPU like an Intel Celeron or Pentium or AMD A-Series will serve if all you do is browse with a tab or two open. Chromebooks based on Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processors will allow for more able multitasking, though they’ll also be more expensive. Note that AMD offers a handful of C-series Ryzen mobile processors designed specially for Chromebooks.
A $300 Windows laptop with an Intel Celeron processor and 4GB of memory will be unpleasantly sluggish for everyday use under Windows, but a Chromebook with the same specs should be fine for basic tasks. If you tend to be a multitasker, though, consider a Core or a Ryzen chip and 8GB of memory.
How to Buy the Best Chromebook
STORAGE CONSIDERATIONS. Most of your files on a Chromebook will be stored in the cloud, so many Chromebooks include only a small serving (32GB or 64GB) of eMMC flash-memory storage on which to save your local creations. Look for an SD card slot if you think you’ll want to save more documents and files on the device. A growing number of Chromebooks have 128GB or larger solid-state drives (SSDs), which are much faster as well as roomier than eMMC flash.
CONNECTIVITY. Most Chromebook connections are wireless, as you’ll use the machine almost exclusively when attached to Wi-Fi. Wired Ethernet ports are rare, but support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi is ubiquitous, with 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 found in upscale and corporate Chromebooks.
If you’ll need to give presentations from your Chromebook, an HDMI monitor port is usually more convenient than carrying a USB-C DisplayPort adapter. Also look for a USB port or two if you’ll want to attach a mouse, a flash drive, or another peripheral.
GAMING. Entertainment isn’t a big concern for classroom users, but gaming on Chromebooks is finally a reality. Not only are there several ways to play on Chromebooks of all kinds, the latest game-ready models are built to take advantage of cloud services like Nvidia GeForce Now, Microsoft’s Xbox cloud gaming, and Amazon Luna. The first batch of purpose-built gaming Chromebooks is just hitting the market, so keep an eye on the best Chromebooks for gaming for our latest reviews.
Are Touch-Screen and Tablet Chromebooks Worth It?
Today’s Chromebooks have stepped up from basic, bare-bones laptops to elegant computers with surprisingly rich capabilities. A few sport carbon-fiber chassis or lightweight magnesium alloy frames. Others not only swap out flash storage for a speedy SSD but boast a bright, 1080p or higher-resolution in-plane switching (IPS) display with sharp text, vivid colors, and wide viewing angles. Top models have premium styling that rivals any high-end Windows notebook.
(Photo: Molly Flores)
That includes touch screens (ChromeOS is now optimized for touch input), which are especially handy when you’re tapping away at Android apps designed for touch. And while most Chromebooks are traditional clamshell laptops, a growing number are 2-in-1 convertibles whose screens flip and fold into laptop, tablet, and kiosk or presentation modes, just like Lenovo’s Yoga and HP’s x360 systems. A handful of Chromebooks are detachables with kickstands and removable keyboards, comparable to Windows tablets.
(Photo: Molly Flores)
The result is that these days, a budget Windows laptop and a similarly priced Chromebook can look far more alike than you might expect.
What’s the Best Chromebook for You?
Whether you’re a Facebook or Instagram addict or you just need a machine for checking email and working in Google apps, Chromebooks are easy to use, convenient to take on the go, and relatively inexpensive. If you think a Chromebook could be right for you, check out the detailed spec chart and reviews below for the top-rated models we’ve tested. If you’re on a tight budget but definitely need Windows, our lists of the best cheap laptops and the best laptops for college students are worth a look, too. And for more general buying advice, check out our comprehensive guide with today’s top laptop picks, regardless of price.
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