The most effective Chromebook you should buy in 2025

Whether or not you’re purchasing for a budget-friendly laptop computer for varsity or a smooth machine for on a regular basis productiveness, the most effective Chromebooks can provide shocking performance for the value. Chromebooks have come a good distance from their early days as web-only units. Now, many Chromebook fashions function highly effective processors, premium shows and even touchscreen help, making them a compelling different to a daily laptop computer for loads of customers.

There are extra choices than ever too, from light-weight clamshells to high-end, 2-in-1 designs that may simply change your every day driver. Whether or not you are after a brand new Chromebook for streaming, work or staying on prime of emails, there’s possible a mannequin that matches each your finances and your workflow. We’ve examined the highest Chromebooks in the marketplace that will help you discover the suitable one — whether or not you’re after most worth or top-tier efficiency.

Desk of contents

Finest Chromebooks in 2025

Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Display screen measurement: 14 inches | Display screen decision: 1,920 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.52 lbs | Out there ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, MicroSD card slot (SD 3.0), Headphone jack, Kensington Naon safety slot | Drive capability: 128GB | Battery life: 6 hours as examined

Lenovo has been making a few of the finest reasonably priced Chromebooks you should buy for a number of years now, and its 2023 IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is an reasonably priced laptop computer that gives nearly every thing you might need in a primary Chromebook. (We’re calling it the Flex 5i from right here.) The 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen is each bigger and taller than final yr’s mannequin. This implies you get extra vertical display screen actual property, which is one thing I admire over a regular 1080p show. This Lenovo mannequin hits the Chromebook Plus beneficial specs with a Thirteenth-generation Intel Core i3 processor plus 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. That’s a bump up from the Eleventh-generation processor within the 2022 mannequin, and the RAM and storage needs to be lots, so that you’ll get good efficiency from this machine.

Sadly, the battery life is pretty mediocre — I acquired about six hours of normal use out of it. My workflow features a ton of Chrome tabs, plus internet apps for issues like Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Preserve and YouTube Music. I often take a number of video calls through the day, so in case you’re not on digicam a lot you would possibly get a bit extra time from the laptop computer. I want it lasted longer, however I can’t knock it an excessive amount of contemplating the Flex 5i’s value.

The backlit keyboard and trackpad are excellent and really feel a lot better than I’d anticipate on a reasonably reasonably priced machine. The keys have good journey and the trackpad is massive and responsive. Although it has a 1080p webcam, I can’t say that I seemed all that nice within the video calls I took. It does the job, however not rather more.

Different issues within the Flex 5i’s favor embody each USB-C and USB-A ports, a microSD card slot and a safety lock. It additionally comes with built-in Wi-Fi 6E to satisfy the newest Wi-Fi normal. At 3.5 kilos and 0.78 inches thick, it’s undoubtedly not the lightest or slimmest possibility on the market. It’s a utilitarian slab of a laptop computer, however that’s OK. Lastly, the Flex 5i will obtain software program and safety updates till June of 2032, so you should buy this laptop and have it coated for years to return.

For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the best Chromebook, and the excellent news is that it’s frequently on sale for fairly a bit much less. I’ve seen it as little as $350 in current months. It’ll hit the candy spot for lots of consumers on the market, offering a stage of high quality and efficiency that’s fairly uncommon to seek out at this value level. That mentioned, it’s getting lengthy within the tooth in comparison with the remainder of our picks, so I’m protecting a watch out for an replace from Lenovo or a substitute from one other producer.

Professionals

Good total efficiency for the value
Good show
Stable keyboard and trackpad

Cons

Mediocre battery life
A yr older than our different picks

$379 at Amazon

Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

When Google first launched the Chromebook Plus line virtually a yr in the past, fashions with that designation began at $400 — however since, issues have gotten inexpensive. Acer’s just-released Chromebook Plus 514 hits all the important thing specs, together with a Thirteenth-gen Intel Core i3-N305 processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and a 1080p show and webcam. None of that is something to jot down residence about, however you’re getting a whole lot of worth for a laptop computer priced at $380. It additionally contains the aforementioned AI options and a yr’s price of the $20/month Google One AI Premium plan, which features a beneficiant 2TB of cloud storage to your images, Drive and Gmail recordsdata.

Design-wise, the Plus 514 is fairly primary, but it surely will get the job executed; it’s your normal laptop computer with a 14-inch show. It’s neither overly skinny (.81 inches) or mild (3.15 kilos), however these specs are completely cheap for a sub-$400 laptop computer. (It’s really ever-so-slightly lighter than the extra premium Spin 714.) Identical goes for the display screen — it’s a touchscreen, and its 1,920 x 1,080 decision is okay, however I do miss the additional vertical pixels you’ll get with our different picks on this information. The show is in any other case good, and the keyboard and trackpad are likewise greater than ok for a laptop computer at this value.

Total, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a stable possibility if value is your major concern — but it surely’s additionally price noting that the Lenovo mannequin we picked as the most effective total Chromebook is commonly on sale, generally for below $400 as properly. In that case, the value distinction between the 2 laptops is shut sufficient that it’s price springing for the higher show you’ll get with the Lenovo. However I’ve additionally seen the Plus 514 promoting for as little as $330, which is a superb deal for a succesful Chromebook.

Professionals

Cheap
Efficiency, specs and constructed high quality are all good for this value
Stable show and webcam

Cons

1080p show generally feels cramped

$344 at Amazon

Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 has lengthy been among the finest premium Chromebook choices on the market, and the newest mannequin launched this spring isn’t any exception. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 encompasses a 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen. Just like the display screen on Lenovo’s mannequin, this works out to a taller 16:10 facet ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on most laptops. I’m a giant fan of taller laptop computer screens, and whereas this isn’t as luxurious because the few 3:2 ratio Chromebooks in the marketplace, it’s nonetheless a cushty and top quality display screen. It’s additionally somewhat bit brighter than the display screen on the Lenovo (340 nits vs. 300).

One noteworthy function is the 2K webcam included within the Spin 714. In a world the place we’re all doing extra video calls than we’d like, having a digicam that doesn’t scale back you to a blurry spot is certainly appreciated. It’s a much better digicam than the one on our prime decide, too.

As for the remainder of the {hardware}, the Spin 714 bests the Lenovo in a number of methods. It options Intel’s newest Core Extremely 5 115U processor, together with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of native storage. It additionally has higher battery life in my testing — I usually acquired about eight hours utilizing it below my regular workload. That’s not distinctive, but it surely’s according to what I’ve seen on different Intel-powered Chromebooks.

Simply because the title suggests, the Spin 714 has a 360-degree hinge which helps you to use the laptop computer in pill mode. I’m not a fan of this convertible design – I don’t know who needs to make use of a 3-plus pound pill, but it surely’s there in case you want it. That mentioned, for a $700 laptop computer, it’s comparatively skinny (.7 inches) and lightweight (3.2 kilos), so for portability functions, it’s exhausting to complain. However Acer has been utilizing this similar primary design for a number of generations now, so I’m beginning to assume they may redesign the chassis for the subsequent mannequin.

The newest Spin 714 prices $700 – not an unreasonable value for a pc with these specs and constructed high quality. Should you’re a critical multitasker, need a greater show and keyboard, or simply need a pc that’ll final so long as attainable (Google says it’ll obtain software program updates via June of 2034), the Acer Spin 714 is simple to suggest.

Professionals

Nice display screen
Clear webcam
Loads of energy and space for storing
Snug keyboard and trackpad

Cons

A bit of dear
Mediocre battery life

$699 at Best Buy

Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Acer first launched 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 just don’t must be a gamer to understand 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 fee. NVIDIA’s GeForce Now gaming service helps as much as 4K visuals at 120Hz on its Final tier so that you’ll get to see these advantages. This laptop computer additionally helps Steam, but one more reason avid gamers is perhaps thinking about attempting it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and clear display screen and refined {hardware}.

It additionally contains Intel’s Core 5 120UL chip, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Given the laptop computer’s measurement, it’s good 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 lights you can customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a stable and comfy keyboard for taking part in video games or simply typing up reviews. The trackpad is massive and responsive as properly.

The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – fairly mild for a laptop computer with a 16-inch display screen. We haven’t examined the 2024 mannequin but, so I can’t verify the battery life; Acer claims 10 hours, a determine that’ll absolutely dip in case you’re doing greater than watching movies or informal internet looking. Between the highly effective {hardware}, stable design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display screen, anybody who needs an even bigger Chromebook will possible be proud of this mannequin. As for help, Google says the Plus 516 GE will obtain updates till June of 2032.

Professionals

Giant, high-resolution display screen with a quick refresh fee
Loads of ports
Core 5 chip gives loads of energy
Giant and spacious keyboard
Comparatively light-weight for a big-screen laptop computer

Cons

Not everybody will admire the gamer aesthetic

$649 at Best Buy

Finest Chromebooks FAQs

What’s Chrome OS, and why would I exploit it over Home windows?

That is in all probability the primary query about Chromebooks. There are many cheap Home windows laptops in the marketplace, so why hassle with Chrome’s working system? Glad you requested. For me, the easy and clear nature of Chrome OS is a giant promoting level. Chrome OS relies on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies a lot of the packages you’ll be able to run are internet based mostly. There’s no bloatware or undesirable apps to uninstall such as you typically get on Home windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you’ll fully reset to manufacturing unit settings virtually as rapidly.

After all, simplicity will even be a significant disadvantage for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program generally is a dealbreaker in case you’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do the vast majority of their work in an internet browser, utilizing instruments like Google Docs and spreadsheets for productiveness while not having a full Home windows setup.

Google and its software program companions are getting higher yearly at supporting extra superior options. For instance, Google added video editing tools to the Google Images app on Chromebooks – it gained’t change Adobe Premiere, but it surely needs to be helpful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the web final yr, one thing that brings a lot of the facility of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.

Chromebooks may also run Android apps, which significantly expands the quantity of software program out there. The standard varies broadly, but it surely means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you’ll be able to set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Different Android apps like Microsoft Workplace and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful as properly. Between Android apps and a normal enchancment in internet apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.

What do Chromebooks do properly?

Put merely, internet looking and actually something internet based mostly. On-line procuring, streaming music and video and utilizing varied social media websites are among the many commonest every day duties individuals do on Chromebooks. As you would possibly anticipate, additionally they work properly with Google companies like Images, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Preserve and so forth. Sure, any laptop that may run Chrome can try this too, however the light-weight nature of Google Chrome OS makes it a responsive and secure platform.

As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so in case you’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You will get a lot of the similar apps which are in your cellphone on a Chromebook and maintain data in sync between them. You can too use some Android telephones as a safety key to your Chromebook or immediately tether your 2-in-1 laptop to make use of cellular information.

Google continues to tout safety as a significant differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s undoubtedly an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary traces of protection: Chrome OS updates obtain rapidly within the background and a quick reboot is all it takes to put in the newest model. Google says that every webpage and app on a Chromebook runs in its personal sandbox as properly, so any safety threats are contained to that particular person app. Lastly, Chrome OS has a self-check known as Verified Boot that runs each time a tool begins up. Past all this, the easy reality that you just typically can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for dangerous actors to entry the system.

Should you’re thinking about Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an efficient possibility as properly. Each Chromebook in our prime picks comes with a full yr of the Google One AI Premium plan — this combines the standard Google One perks like 2TB of storage and 10 p.c again in purchases from the Google Retailer with a bunch of AI instruments. You’ll get entry to Gemini in Gmail, Google Docs and different apps, Gemini Superior (which runs on the 1.5 Professional mannequin) and extra. On condition that this plan is $20/month, it’s a fairly stable perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embody instruments just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Images Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you’ll be able to create by filling in a number of prompts.

As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is straightforward: Should you rely closely on a selected native utility for Home windows or a Mac, chances are high you gained’t discover the very same possibility on a ChromeOS gadget. That’s most true in fields like photograph and video modifying, but it surely can be the case in legislation or finance. Loads of companies run on Google’s G suite software program, however extra nonetheless have particular necessities {that a} Chromebook won’t match. Should you’re an iPhone person, you’ll additionally miss out on the best way the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the massive draw back is just not having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.

Lastly, gaming Chromebooks usually are not ubiquitous, though they’re changing into a barely extra cheap possibility with the rise of cloud gaming. In late 2022, Google and a few {hardware} companions introduced a push to make Chromebooks with cloud gaming in thoughts. From a {hardware} perspective, which means laptops with greater screens which have greater refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with companies like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Sport Move and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these companies, however the excellent news is that taking part in trendy video games on a Chromebook isn’t unimaginable. You can too set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are considering of after they need to sport on a laptop computer.

What are crucial specs for a Chromebook?

Chrome OS is light-weight and runs properly on pretty modest {hardware}, so crucial factor to search for won’t be processor energy or space for storing. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final yr when it launched the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any gadget with a Chromebook Plus designation meets some minimal necessities, which occur to be similar to what I’d suggest most individuals get in the event that they’re on the lookout for the best laptop they’ll use on daily basis.

Chromebook Plus fashions have at the very least a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 sequence processor, each of which needs to be greater than sufficient for most individuals. These laptops even have a minimal of 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage, which ought to do the trick until you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions must have a 1080p webcam, which is good in lately of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all must have at the very least a 1080p FHD IPS display screen.

After all, you may get greater specs or higher screens in case you need, however I’ve discovered that mainly every thing included within the Chromebook Plus goal specs makes for an excellent expertise.

Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks as properly, and whereas that’s not precisely a spec, it’s price checking before you purchase. Final yr, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and help for a formidable 10 years after their launch date. This support page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however a very good rule of thumb is to purchase the latest machine you’ll be able to to maximise your help.

How a lot ought to I spend on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks began out notoriously low-cost, with checklist costs typically coming in below $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being basically trendy netbooks to a few of the finest laptops you’ll need to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, you need to anticipate to spend at the very least $400 in order for you a stable every day driver. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks on the market out there at a low value which may be appropriate as secondary units, however a very good Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will value extra. However, notably, even the most effective Chromebooks often value lower than the best Windows laptops, and even the most effective “common” laptops on the market.

There are many premium Chromebooks that strategy and even exceed $1,000 that declare to supply higher efficiency and extra processing energy, however I don’t suggest spending that a lot. Typically, that’ll get you a greater design with extra premium supplies, in addition to extra highly effective internals and further space for storing, like a higher-capacity SSD. After all, you additionally generally pay for the model title. However, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient.

See Additionally:

Different Chromebooks we examined

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus

Samsung’s new Galaxy Chromebook Plus is without doubt one of the extra distinctive Chromebooks on the market. It’s extraordinarily skinny and lightweight, at 0.46 inches and a pair of.6 kilos, but it surely manages to incorporate a 15.6-inch show in that body. That display screen is a 1080p panel that’s sharp and vibrant, however its 16:9 facet ratio made issues really feel a bit cramped when scrolling vertically. Efficiency is superb, and the keyboard is stable, although I’m not a fan of the quantity pad because it shifts every thing to the left. At $700 it’s not low-cost, however that feels honest contemplating its measurement and capabilities. Should you’re on the lookout for a giant display screen laptop computer that can also be tremendous mild, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the most suitable choice for everybody.

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