Whether or not you’re purchasing for a budget-friendly computer for varsity or a swish device for on a regular basis productiveness, the most productive Chromebooks can be offering unexpected capability for the associated fee. Chromebooks have come far from their early days as web-only units. Now, many Chromebook fashions function tough processors, top class shows or even touchscreen reinforce, making them a compelling choice to a standard computer for a number of customers.
There are extra choices than ever too, from light-weight clamshells to high-end, 2-in-1 designs that may simply exchange your day by day driving force. Whether or not you might be after a brand new Chromebook for streaming, paintings or staying on height of emails, there’s most likely a style that matches each your price range and your workflow. We’ve examined the highest Chromebooks in the marketplace that will help you to find the suitable one — whether or not you’re after most price or top-tier functionality.
Editor’s word (7/16/25): Whilst I nonetheless counsel the whole thing on this information, there’s one very intriguing new Chromebook I’m within the strategy of checking out. Lenovo, who makes our select for easiest total Chromebook, simply launched a brand new top class style. The Chromebook Plus 14 begins at $649 and is the one of the most first to make use of the ARM-based MediaTek Kompanio Extremely 910 chip. Maximum different performance-focused Chromebooks run on Intel or AMD chips, however to this point the Kompanio Extremely has been greater than as much as what I’ve thrown at it. And the opposite receive advantages is battery lifestyles — Lenovo guarantees as much as 17 hours. I haven’t totally examined this but, however from what I’ve observed the ARM chip is unsurprisingly a lot more environment friendly than the Intel ones I take advantage of on maximum different Chromebooks. I’m hopeful that this computer will final for 10 hours of actual use, no longer simply enjoying again video or another low-power process.
Design-wise, it has extra in commonplace with Google’s outdated Pixelbook Pass or perhaps a MacBook Air than maximum different Chromebooks. It is pleasantly skinny (.63 inches) and light-weight (2.58 kilos). It additionally includes a 14-inch OLED show, 256GB of garage and 16GB of RAM. The style I’m checking out prices $749, however there’s additionally a $649 configuration with 12GB of RAM, 128GB of garage and no touchscreen — but it surely makes use of the similar chip, nonetheless has an OLED display and must get in a similar fashion lengthy battery lifestyles. The quite excessive worth makes me hesitate on calling this the most productive Chromebook for everybody, but it surely’ll nearly for sure be the Chromebook to shop for in the event you care about battery lifestyles. I’ll replace this information once more after I end my checking out.
Desk of contents
Easiest Chromebooks in 2025
Photograph through Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,920 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.52 lbs | To be had ports: 1 x USB-A three.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, MicroSD card slot (SD 3.0), Headphone jack, Kensington Naon safety slot | Force potential: 128GB | Battery lifestyles: 6 hours as examined
Lenovo has been making one of the crucial easiest reasonably priced Chromebooks you’ll be able to purchase for a number of years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus remains to be an reasonably priced possibility that gives as regards to the whole thing you might want to need in a fundamental Chromebook. (We’re calling it the Flex 5i from right here.) The 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen is each better and taller than final yr’s style. This implies you get extra vertical display actual property, which is one thing I recognize over a normal 1080p show. This Lenovo style hits the Chromebook Plus really helpful specifications with a Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i3 processor plus 8GB of RAM and 128GB of garage. That’s a bump up from the Eleventh-generation processor within the 2022 style, and the RAM and garage must be masses, so that you’ll get excellent functionality from this device.
Sadly, the battery lifestyles is moderately mediocre — I were given about six hours of normal use out of it. My workflow features a ton of Chrome tabs, plus cyber web apps for such things as Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Stay and YouTube Song. I generally take a couple of video calls throughout the day, so in the event you’re no longer on digicam a lot you may get a little extra time from the computer. I want it lasted longer, however I will be able to’t knock it an excessive amount of bearing in mind the Flex 5i’s worth.
The backlit keyboard and trackpad are excellent and really feel a lot better than I’d be expecting on a moderately reasonably priced device. The keys have great go back and forth and the trackpad is huge and responsive. Even if it has a 1080p webcam, I will be able to’t say that I regarded all that fab within the video calls I took. It does the process, however no longer a lot more.
Different issues within the Flex 5i’s want come with each USB-C and USB-A ports, a microSD card slot and a safety lock. It additionally comes with integrated Wi-Fi 6E to fulfill the most recent Wi-Fi usual. At 3.5 kilos and zero.78 inches thick, it’s no doubt no longer the lightest or slimmest possibility available in the market. It’s a utilitarian slab of a computer, however that’s OK. After all, the Flex 5i will obtain tool and safety updates till June of 2032, so you’ll be able to purchase this laptop and feature it lined for future years.
For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the perfect Chromebook, and the excellent news is that it’s ceaselessly on sale for somewhat a little much less. I’ve observed it as little as $350 in fresh months. It’ll hit the candy spot for numerous consumers available in the market, offering a degree of high quality and function that’s beautiful uncommon to seek out at this worth level. That mentioned, it’s getting lengthy within the enamel in comparison to the remainder of our alternatives, so I’m conserving a watch out for an replace from Lenovo or a substitute from some other producer.
- Excellent total functionality for the associated fee
- Great show
- Cast keyboard and trackpad
- Mediocre battery lifestyles
- A yr older than our different alternatives
Photograph through Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,920 x 1,080 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.15 lbs | To be had ports: 1 x USB-A three.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, HDMI port | Force potential: 128GB | Battery lifestyles: As much as 11 hours
When Google first presented the Chromebook Plus line nearly a yr in the past, fashions with that designation began at $400 — however since, issues have got more cost effective. Acer’s just-released Chromebook Plus 514 hits the entire key specifications, together with a Thirteenth-gen Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of garage and a 1080p show and webcam. None of that is the rest to put in writing house about, however you’re getting numerous price for a computer priced at $380. It additionally contains the aforementioned AI options and a yr’s price of the $20/month Google One AI Top class plan, which incorporates a beneficiant 2TB of cloud garage in your pictures, Force and Gmail information.
Design-wise, the Plus 514 is beautiful fundamental, but it surely will get the process accomplished; it’s your usual computer with a 14-inch show. It’s neither overly skinny (.81 inches) or mild (3.15 kilos), however those specifications are utterly cheap for a sub-$400 computer. (It’s if truth be told ever-so-slightly lighter than the extra top class Spin 714.) Similar is going for the display — it’s a touchscreen, and its 1,920 x 1,080 decision is ok, however I do omit the additional vertical pixels you’ll get with our different alternatives on this information. The show is differently excellent, and the keyboard and trackpad are likewise greater than excellent sufficient for a computer at this worth.
General, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a forged possibility if price is your major fear — but it surely’s additionally price noting that the Lenovo style we picked as the most productive total Chromebook is ceaselessly on sale, infrequently for only $400 as neatly. If that’s the case, the associated fee distinction between the 2 laptops is shut sufficient that it’s price springing for the simpler show you’ll get with the Lenovo. However I’ve additionally observed the Plus 514 promoting for as low as $330, which is a smart deal for a succesful Chromebook.
- Reasonably priced
- Efficiency, specifications and constructed high quality are all excellent for this worth
- Cast show and webcam
- 1080p show infrequently feels cramped
Photograph through Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,980 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.02 lbs | To be had ports: 1 x USB-A three.2, 2 x USB-C / Thunderbolt, HDMI, Headphone jack | Force potential: 256GB | Battery lifestyles: 7.5 hours as examined
Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 has lengthy been one of the most easiest top class Chromebook choices available in the market, and the most recent style launched this spring is not any exception. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 includes a 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen. Just like the display on Lenovo’s style, this works out to a taller 16:10 facet ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on maximum laptops. I’m an enormous fan of taller computer displays, and whilst this isn’t as sumptuous because the few 3:2 ratio Chromebooks in the marketplace, it’s nonetheless a relaxed and prime quality display. It’s additionally a little bit bit brighter than the display at the Lenovo (340 nits vs. 300).
One noteworthy function is the 2K webcam incorporated within the Spin 714. In a global the place we’re all doing extra video calls than we’d like, having a digicam that doesn’t cut back you to a blurry spot is no doubt liked. It’s a a long way higher digicam than the only on our height select, too.
As for the remainder of the {hardware}, the Spin 714 bests the Lenovo in a couple of techniques. It options Intel’s newest Core Extremely 5 115U processor, in conjunction with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of native garage. It additionally has higher battery lifestyles in my checking out — I normally were given about 8 hours the usage of it beneath my standard workload. That’s no longer remarkable, but it surely’s in step with what I’ve observed on different Intel-powered Chromebooks.
Simply because the title suggests, the Spin 714 has a 360-degree hinge which helps you to use the computer in pill mode. I’m no longer partial to this convertible design – I don’t know who desires to make use of a 3-plus pound pill, but it surely’s there if you wish to have it. That mentioned, for a $700 computer, it’s quite skinny (.7 inches) and light-weight (3.2 kilos), so for portability functions, it’s laborious to bitch. However Acer has been the usage of this identical fundamental design for a couple of generations now, so I’m beginning to assume they might redesign the chassis for the following style.
The most recent Spin 714 prices $700 – no longer an unreasonable worth for a pc with those specifications and constructed high quality. In case you’re a significant multitasker, need a greater show and keyboard, or simply need a pc that’ll final so long as imaginable (Google says it’ll obtain tool updates thru June of 2034), the Acer Spin 714 is simple to counsel.
- Nice display
- Transparent webcam
- A variety of continual and space for storing
- At ease keyboard and trackpad
- A little bit dear
- Mediocre battery lifestyles
Photograph through Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display dimension: 16 inches | Display decision: 2,560 x 1,600 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.75 lbs | To be had ports: 1 x USB-A three.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, HDMI, Headphone jack, Ethernet | Force potential: 256GB | Battery lifestyles: 9 hours (producer estimate)
Acer first presented the Chromebook 516 GE within the fall of 2022 as a part of Google’s push to make units appropriate for cloud gaming and simply up to date it for 2024. The excellent news is that you simply don’t wish to be a gamer to realize the Chromebook Plus 516 GE. For $650, you’ll get a 16-inch show with a 2,560 x 1,600 decision and a 120Hz refresh price. NVIDIA’s GeForce Now gaming provider helps as much as 4K visuals at 120Hz on its Final tier so that you’ll get to peer the ones advantages. This computer additionally helps Steam, but one more reason players may well be keen on making an attempt it. However even non-gamers must benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and transparent display and subtle {hardware}.
It additionally contains Intel’s Core 5 120UL chip, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of garage. Given the computer’s dimension, it’s excellent that Acer didn’t skimp on ports right here: there’s an HDMI port, USB-C, USB-A, ethernet and a headphone jack. The keyboard has gamer-friendly LED lighting fixtures that you’ll be able to customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a forged and relaxed keyboard for taking part in video games or simply typing up experiences. The trackpad is huge and responsive as neatly.
The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – beautiful mild for a computer with a 16-inch display. We haven’t examined the 2024 style but, so I will be able to’t verify the battery lifestyles; Acer claims 10 hours, a determine that’ll undoubtedly dip in the event you’re doing greater than staring at movies or informal cyber web surfing. Between the tough {hardware}, forged design, excellent trackpad and keyboard and nice display, somebody who desires a larger Chromebook might be proud of this style. As for reinforce, Google says the Plus 516 GE will obtain updates till June of 2032.
- Massive, high-resolution display with a quick refresh price
- A variety of ports
- Core 5 chip supplies a number of continual
- Massive and spacious keyboard
- Moderately light-weight for a big-screen computer
- No longer everybody will recognize the gamer aesthetic
Easiest Chromebooks FAQs
What’s Chrome OS, and why would I take advantage of it over Home windows?
That is most definitely the #1 query about Chromebooks. There are many reasonably priced Home windows laptops in the marketplace, so why hassle with Chrome’s working machine? Satisfied you requested. For me, the easy and blank nature of Chrome OS is a large promoting level. Chrome OS is in line with Google’s Chrome browser, this means that lots of the methods you’ll be able to run are cyber web founded. There’s no bloatware or undesirable apps to uninstall such as you ceaselessly get on Home windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you’ll be able to totally reset to manufacturing facility settings nearly as briefly.
In fact, simplicity can be a big downside for some customers. No longer with the ability to set up local tool generally is a dealbreaker in the event you’re a video editor or tool developer. However there also are a number of individuals who do the vast majority of their paintings in a cyber web browser, the usage of gear like Google Medical doctors and spreadsheets for productiveness while not having a complete Home windows setup.
Google and its tool companions are getting higher annually at supporting extra complicated options. As an example, Google added video enhancing gear to the Google Footage app on Chromebooks – it gained’t exchange Adobe Premiere, but it surely must be to hand for numerous other folks. In a similar fashion, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the internet in 2023, one thing that brings a lot of the facility of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.
Chromebooks too can run Android apps, which very much expands the quantity of tool to be had. The standard varies broadly, but it surely method you’ll be able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. As an example, you’ll be able to set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline staring at. Different Android apps like Microsoft Place of work and Adobe Lightroom are unusually succesful as neatly. Between Android apps and a basic development in cyber web apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.
What do Chromebooks do neatly?
Put merely, cyber web surfing and in point of fact the rest cyber web founded. On-line buying groceries, streaming tune and video and the usage of quite a lot of social media websites are a few of the maximum commonplace day by day duties other folks do on Chromebooks. As you may be expecting, additionally they paintings neatly with Google services and products like Footage, Medical doctors, Gmail, Force, Stay and so forth. Sure, any laptop that may run Chrome can do this too, however the light-weight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and strong platform.
As I discussed ahead of, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so in the event you’re an Android person you’ll to find some great ties between the platforms. You’ll get lots of the identical apps which might be to your telephone on a Chromebook and stay information in sync between them. You’ll additionally use some Android telephones as a safety key in your Chromebook or right away tether your 2-in-1 computer to make use of cell knowledge.
Google continues to tout safety as a big differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s no doubt an element price bearing in mind. Auto-updates are the primary traces of protection: Chrome OS updates obtain briefly within the background and a quick reboot is all it takes to put in the most recent model. Google says that every webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its personal sandbox as neatly, so any safety threats are contained to that specific app. After all, Chrome OS has a self-check known as Verified Boot that runs each time a tool begins up. Past all this, the easy truth that you simply usually can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook method there are fewer techniques for dangerous actors to get entry to the machine.
In case you’re keen on Google’s Gemini AI gear, a Chromebook is a superb possibility as neatly. Each and every Chromebook in our height alternatives comes with a complete yr of Google’s AI Professional plan — this combines the standard Google One perks like 2TB of garage and 10 % again in purchases from the Google Retailer with a host of AI gear. You’ll get get entry to to Gemini in Chrome, Gmail, Google Medical doctors and different apps, Gemini 2.5 Professional within the Gemini app and extra. For the reason that this plan is $20/month, it’s a sexy forged perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally come with gear just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Footage Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you’ll be able to create through filling in a couple of activates.
As for when to steer clear of Chromebooks, the solution is understated: In case you depend closely on a selected local software for Home windows or a Mac, chances are high that you gained’t to find the very same possibility on a ChromeOS software. That’s maximum true in fields like picture and video enhancing, but it surely will also be the case in regulation or finance. A variety of companies run on Google’s G suite tool, however extra nonetheless have explicit necessities {that a} Chromebook may no longer fit. In case you’re an iPhone person, you’ll additionally fail to spot the way in which the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the large problem isn’t with the ability to get entry to iMessage on a Chromebook.
After all, gaming Chromebooks aren’t ubiquitous, despite the fact that they’re changing into a barely extra cheap possibility with the upward thrust of cloud gaming. In past due 2022, Google and a few {hardware} companions introduced a push to make Chromebooks with cloud gaming in thoughts. From a {hardware} standpoint, that suggests laptops with larger displays that experience increased refresh charges in addition to optimizing the ones laptops to paintings with services and products like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Sport Move and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of those services and products, however the excellent news is that enjoying trendy video games on a Chromebook isn’t not possible. You’ll additionally set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s no longer what the general public are considering of once they wish to recreation on a computer.
What are an important specifications for a Chromebook?
Chrome OS is light-weight and runs neatly on moderately modest {hardware}, so an important factor to search for is probably not processor continual or space for storing. However Google made it more straightforward to get constant specifications and function past due final yr when it presented the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any software with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimal necessities, which take place to be similar to what I’d counsel the general public get in the event that they’re searching for the most productive computer they are able to use on a daily basis.
Chromebook Plus fashions have a minimum of a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 sequence processor, either one of which must be greater than sufficient for the general public. Those laptops even have at least 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD garage, which must do the trick except you’re in point of fact pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions must have a 1080p webcam, which is sweet in this present day of continuous video calling, and so they additionally all must have a minimum of a 1080p FHD IPS display.
In fact, you’ll be able to get increased specifications or higher displays in the event you need, however I’ve discovered that principally the whole thing incorporated within the Chromebook Plus goal specifications makes for an excellent revel in.
Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks as neatly, and whilst that’s no longer precisely a spec, it’s price checking before you purchase. Remaining yr, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get tool updates and reinforce for an excellent 10 years after their liberate date. This reinforce web page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however a excellent rule of thumb is to shop for the most recent device you’ll be able to to maximise your reinforce.
How a lot must I spend on a Chromebook?
Chromebooks began out notoriously reasonable, with checklist costs ceaselessly coming in beneath $300. However as they’ve long gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being necessarily trendy netbooks to one of the crucial easiest laptops you’ll wish to use all day. As such, costs have larger: At this level, you must be expecting to spend a minimum of $400 if you need a forged day by day driving force. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks available in the market to be had at a low worth that can be appropriate as secondary units, however a excellent Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day computer will price extra. However, significantly, even the most productive Chromebooks generally price not up to the most productive Home windows laptops, and even the most productive “common” laptops available in the market.
There are a handful of top class Chromebooks that manner and even exceed $1,000 that declare to provide higher functionality and extra processing continual, however I don’t counsel spending that a lot. Usually, that’ll get you a greater design with extra top class fabrics, in addition to extra tough internals and further space for storing, like a higher-capacity SSD. In fact, you additionally infrequently pay for the emblem title. However, the specifications I defined previous are generally sufficient, and there are more than one excellent top class Chromebooks within the $700 to $800 vary at this level.
See Additionally:
Different Chromebooks we examined
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus, launched in past due 2024, is likely one of the extra distinctive Chromebooks available in the market. It’s extraordinarily skinny and light-weight, at 0.46 inches and a pair of.6 kilos, but it surely manages to incorporate a fifteen.6-inch show in that body. That display is a 1080p panel that’s sharp and vivid, however its 16:9 facet ratio made issues really feel a little cramped when scrolling vertically. Efficiency is excellent, and the keyboard is forged, despite the fact that I’m no longer partial to the quantity pad because it shifts the whole thing to the left. At $700 it’s no longer reasonable, however that feels honest bearing in mind its dimension and features. In case you’re searching for an enormous display computer that also is tremendous mild, this Chromebook deserves attention, despite the fact that it’s no longer the most suitable option for everybody.
