Once reserved strictly for students, Chromebooks have evolved into highly capable laptops that are often a better alternative to similarly priced Windows or Mac notebooks. With cloud storage and services now being so prominent in our digital lives, these affordable laptops are rapidly growing in popularity, and deservedly so.
I know reading laptop specifications can be a bit overwhelming, but this information is the most important thing to pay attention to when you're shopping for a new computer — whether it'd be for you, your child, or a soon-to-be college student. Here's what you should consider before making the investment:
Processor: The newer the processor (CPU), the more power and better performance your new laptop will offer. I suggest that you opt for a product with an Intel Core series chip because it's more capable than the entry-level Celeron series. Affordable Chromebooks with the latter are best suited for basic tasks like web browsing, streaming video, or typing word documents.
Memory: The hard drive (HDD, SSD, or eMMC) stores all of your data, including your operating system, games, documents, music, and movies. It stores the stuff you want to open and access throughout the lifetime of the machine. Random-access memory (or RAM) stores data your computer needs to access and helps your computer run multiple applications at a time.
Battery Life: Battery life can make a significant impact on getting through your work- or school day, so make sure whatever Chromebook you purchase delivers at least 8 hours of battery life before needing recharging. More affordable Chromebooks will likely offer less than that and will need recharging in the middle of the workday.
Display: A great Chromebook should have a sharp screen with a Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) or higher. Translation? The bigger these numbers, the more detailed the picture on the screen will be, whether you're editing an image on Photoshop or watching Netflix!
Connectivity: You should look for a notebook with futureproof Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless standards to prevent your device from becoming obsolete for as long as possible.
With a wide variety of Chromebooks to choose from, I've researched and compared more than 50 different offerings from ASUS, HP, and Acer, among others. I scoured the internet, reading reviews from other publications and consumers, and even tested a handful of them to find the best Chromebooks for every size and budget.
Our recommended models are packed with the latest, most reliable processors, plus, they pack lengthy battery life and have strong builds. So, shop our eight favorite Chromebooks below!
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 proves that there’s no need to spend four figures for a laptop. This convertible 2-in-1 laptop is jam-packed with fast components, a large battery, and a stunning and spacious 3:2 LCD display.
The base model includes Intel’s Evo Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of solid-state storage. This Chromebook delivers similar performance to competing models that cost $800. It offers a generous selection of ports, too. There are dual USB-C ports, a USB-A jack, a headphone jack, a MicroSD slot, and even an HDMI, which has become a rarity for slim laptops these days.
It’s a laptop that stretches your dollar further than other options, thanks to its high-end specs, excellent build quality, and incredible pricing — all of which make it the best Chromebook out there. If you want a slim, portable, and reliable Chromebook that delivers premium performance without a premium price, you won’t be disappointed.
Compared to our best overall pick, this Chromebook has a smaller hard drive, a lower resolution 16:9 display, and fewer ports. On the plus side, it offers more powerful speakers, Wi-Fi 6 (just like the Spin 713), and 10 hours of battery life. The Flex 5 weighs about 3 pounds and has plenty of ports, including a headphone jack and microSD card slot. I also appreciate that its webcam has an integrated privacy shutter.
This one is even equipped with a backlit keyboard that’ll come in handy for late-night work sessions. There’s a fingerprint sensor for quickly logging in, too.
If you’re willing to sacrifice storage space, memory, and the quality of the display in the name of an easier-to-swallow price point, the Chromebook Flex 5 is an excellent alternative to the aforementioned Acer Chromebook Spin 713.
The Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga is a sleek, more modern-looking laptop that’s geared toward professionals rather than a younger audience. The C13 Yoga is available in multiple configurations that span from $349 all the way up to $949 — the differences being the processor, and amount of RAM. All models have 256GB of storage space, sport a versatile two-in-one design, and even come with a built-in stylus. The laptops also feature Lenovo’s signature red TrackPoint mouse nub for navigation.
I was especially impressed with the ThinkPad’s port selection. You get two USB-C, two USB-A, a microSD card reader, a headphone jack, and HDMI out. It’s worth mentioning that battery life is subpar on this Chromebook — you can expect just over 6 hours. Lastly, although it doesn’t have an IP rating, Lenovo says the laptop has been designed to withstand bumps, drops, shocks, scrapes, dust, and spills.
This 2-in-1 hybrid laptop sports an attractive and portable design. It's equipped with a better processor than the similar Lenovo Chromebook C330, weighs only 3 pounds, and is less than an inch thick.
The Chromebook is equipped with an 11.6-inch display that's large enough to watch movies and shows, however, it's not as bright as the competition. I like that it’s made with Corning Gorilla Glass, which won't scratch as easily. You can use this versatile Chromebook in several different orientations: It can be displayed like a traditional laptop or touchscreen tablet, rotated for showing presentations, or propped up like a tent (pictured).
Despite being a budget laptop, Acer outfitted the Spin 311 with two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and a MicroSD slot for additional storage (the base configuration only comes with 32GB of storage). The computer has an impressive 10-hour battery life, making it a great option for those constantly on the go.
The Chromebook Duet is the best cheap Chromebook that you can buy. This 2-in-1 computer has a detachable keyboard, meaning you can use it as a tablet or a laptop, and it offers 12 hours of battery life. It sports a unique adjustable back fabric cover that protects it from drops and even features a kickstand, which makes it easy to prop the Duet up to watch YouTube or have video calls.
The Chromebook Duet’s 10.1-inch touchscreen is sharp and bright. Plus, its included keyboard will come in handy for all of your typing needs. Although the computer doesn’t have the most powerful or up-to-date processors, it’s still fast enough for web browsing, using social media, responding to email, or doing light photo editing.
Compared to the similar-looking Chromebook Detachable CM3 from ASUS, the Duet feels more premium and is a better value. However, unlike other Chromebooks, its pen doesn't fit inside the laptop's body and it lacks a headphone jack.
For those who are looking for a cheap Chromebook that’s less like a tablet and more like a laptop, consider shopping for the Lenovo Chromebook S330 instead.
The HP x360 is an elegant and incredibly versatile Chromebook with a useful 360-degree hinge, so you can fold it back and use it as a tablet. The laptop sports a premium build and decent specs that are fitting for students who do light web browsing, quick photo editing, and need something for schoolwork (and the occasional Netflix binge, of course.)
Our only complaint is that the base model has a measly 32GB of storage onboard. HP sells a variant with double the storage, double the RAM, and a better processor. Also, If a touchscreen isn’t important to you, consider the HP Chromebook 14 Series, which has similar specs for a lower price point.
Fortunately, all models have a microSD card slot handy for expanding storage when you need to load up on movies before a long road trip. The laptop averages 13 hours of battery life on a single charge — an impressive feat for a machine this portable.
8GB or 16GB of RAM ensures this is a capable laptop for multitaskers
Doesn't have as many ports as the competition
Key Specs
Intel Core m3 CPU
8GB of RAM; 128GB of eMMC storage
13.3-inch HD touchscreen
The Google Pixelbook Go is arguably one of the best Chromebooks money can buy. It’s a premium-feeling and incredibly nice-looking laptop that only weighs 2.3 pounds. It features a grippy texture on its bottom, which is not only cool-looking but also handy in preventing it from accidentally slipping out of your hands. The magnesium body of the Chromebook is lightweight and thin yet impressively durable.
The laptop — which is a bit more expensive than other options — delivers blisteringly fast performance, a fantastic keyboard, more than 12 hours of battery life, and 16GB of RAM. I think most buyers should opt for the configuration that’s powered by Intel’s Core m3 processor — which is equipped with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage space. The base model is plenty powerful enough to operate several apps simultaneously without any sluggishness.
It’s worth mentioning that the Pixelbook Go only has two USB-C ports, so you’ll likely need to purchase a USB-C adapter to use older USB-A peripherals. Or you can even consider opting for the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 instead.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is an affordable update to the previous model. Gone are its Intel Core i5 processor, 4K OLED display, fingerprint reader, and S-Pen. Despite losing all these features, the newest iteration manages to prove that less is more.
The Galaxy Chromebook 2 brings significantly better battery life, a slim design, and the same 2-in-1 functionality as its predecessor but for a lower price point. Although the newest Galaxy Chromebook isn’t a powerhouse like its predecessor, the laptop still offers plenty of performance for the price.
Its entry-level configuration packs the Intel Celeron 5205U processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. I recommend spending a little extra for the $699 model, which has the more powerful specs for juggling multiple apps simultaneously, taking video calls, playing games, or editing photos.
Like the Pixelbook Go, the laptop only has two USB-C ports and a headphone jack. It also is equipped with a microSD card slot, which will come in handy for expanding its storage space.
Brandon CarteSenior Electronics EditorBrandon Carte has been the technology editor at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been covering the latest gadgets and scouring the internet for the greatest deals; His tech reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com and USA Today.
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