The very best Chromebook you should buy in 2025

Whether or not you’re purchasing for a budget-friendly laptop computer for college or a smooth machine for on a regular basis productiveness, the most effective Chromebooks can provide stunning performance for the worth. Chromebooks have come a good distance from their early days as web-only units. Now, many Chromebook fashions characteristic highly effective processors, premium shows and even touchscreen assist, making them a compelling various 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 each day driver. Whether or not you are after a brand new Chromebook for streaming, work or staying on high of emails, there’s probably a mannequin that matches each your funds and your workflow. We’ve examined the highest Chromebooks available on the market that will help you discover the proper one — whether or not you’re after most worth or top-tier efficiency.

Desk of contents

Greatest Chromebooks in 2025

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

Display screen measurement: 14 inches | Display screen decision: 1,920 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.09 lbs | Out there ports: 2 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, HDMI 1.4, Headphone jack, Kensington Nano safety slot | Drive capability: 512GB | Battery life: 8 hours as examined

Acer has reliably produced a few of my favourite Chromebooks for years now, and with the newest Chromebook Plus 514 mannequin, they’re actually hitting the candy spot of worth and efficiency. At solely $350, it’s cheaper than my earlier choose for the most effective Chromebook (Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus) and improves on it in a number of methods.

The large spec enhancements are a more recent processor (Intel’s Core 3-N355 chip) and a spacious 512GB solid-state drive. It’s additionally lighter than Lenovo’s machine and has a fairly spectacular array of ports, together with two USB-A and an HDMI port along with the anticipated USB-C jacks. The 14-inch touchscreen is shiny and clear and has the marginally taller 16:10 facet ratio that you just don’t typically discover in laptops at this worth level – they’re normally caught with narrower 1080p shows. One factor the Acer offers up compared to the Lenovo is a 360-degree hinge, however I’ve all the time discovered that to be a quite area of interest characteristic that isn’t a compelling promoting level.

Design-wise, it is a utilitarian slab of a laptop computer, nevertheless it’s simply skinny (0.71 inches) and lightweight (3.1 kilos) sufficient to really feel compact and straightforward to journey with. The keyboard and trackpad, in the meantime, really feel a lot better than I’d anticipate on a laptop computer at this worth. The backlit keys are massive and have satisfying journey, making it nice to sort away on for hours at a time. And the glass-covered trackpad is easy and huge; my solely criticism is that it sometimes was activated by the facet of my palm whereas typing.

The primary downsides are that the audio system and webcam are fairly mediocre. Audio is tinny and lacks depth, whereas video calls confirmed a definite lack of dynamic vary within the digicam. They’ll definitely do in a pinch, and they’re anticipated corners to be reduce on a reasonably budget-priced laptop computer – however for those who take lots of video calls or need higher onboard audio output, look elsewhere.

Battery life is about what I anticipated for an Intel-powered Chromebook. It lasted over eight hours whereas taking part in again a locally-stored video file, and I received somewhat beneath seven hours whereas going by my regular workday (plenty of Chrome tabs, a handful of internet and Android apps like Maintain, Google Chat, YouTube Music, Lightroom and Todoist). That’s not distinctive, however until you actually should be away from energy for lengthy durations regularly it ought to be adequate (particularly at this worth).

As this Chromebook was simply launched this summer time, Google is promising software program and safety updates till June of 2035. (Should you’re nonetheless utilizing this laptop computer 10 years from now, I applaud you.) Given the combo of efficiency and functionality at this worth level, Acer’s newest Chromebook Plus 514 is straightforward to suggest for anybody who needs a no-nonsense laptop computer. However for those who’re the type of one who plans to make use of their Chromebook all day, day-after-day, you would possibly need to take into account our improve picks.

Execs

Comparatively compact and lightweight
First rate efficiency and battery life for the worth
Giant storage cap
Strong keyboard, trackpad and show

Cons

Tinny audio system
Mediocre webcam

$350 at Costco

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

Display screen measurement: 14 inches | Display screen decision: 1,920 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 12GB | Weight: 3 lbs | Out there ports: 2 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, Headphone jack, Kensington Nano safety slot | Drive capability: 256GB | Battery life: 13 hours as examined

Acer’s brand-new Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is reduce from a really comparable fabric as the usual 514 we suggest, however beneath the hood there are some main upgrades. It’s one of many first Chromebooks to make use of MediaTek’s Kompanio Extremely 910 chip, quite than the usual Intel or AMD fare. This makes a serious distinction in how the Spin 514 performs. There are not one of the occasional slowdown or hiccups that also occur on Intel-based fashions if in case you have too many home windows or apps open. Tabs not often have to reload and pop again up rapidly on the uncommon event that they do. Music or video playback by no means skipped no matter what else I used to be doing, and Android apps like Lightroom labored swiftly and easily.

Maybe extra importantly than the way it feels now, the Spin 514 ought to really feel snappy for years to come back. There’s simply extra room for this chip to deal with rising efficiency calls for over time. Benchmarks from the Android model of Geekbench 6 assist illustrate this: the Spin 514 scored 2,526 on the single-core CPU check, 7,687 on multi-core and 18,020 on the GPU check. For comparability, Acer’s recently-released Chromebook Plus 514 with an Intel Core 3 chip scored 1,150, 4,407 and 5,932 respectively. Clearly, benchmarks don’t inform the whole story, nevertheless it’s illustrative of how performant this chip is.

This goes for AI-related duties, as properly – the MediaTek chip contains the corporate’s NPU 890, which is rated at 50 TOPS (trillion operations per second). In apply, meaning the varied Gemini-powered AI instruments in ChromeOS will run quicker than they do on an Intel machine. Should you’re eager to attempt these types of options, the Spin 514 is an effective possibility.

Past the MediaTek chip, you’ll discover 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage; I’m stunned that it has much less storage than a laptop computer that prices half as a lot, however 256GB is usually a lot for ChromeOS because it depends totally on the cloud. The keyboard, trackpad and touchscreen show are all wonderful, and battery life is phenomenal. I received greater than 14 hours of video playback from the Spin 514, and hit over 9 hours of use if I wasn’t pushing issues too onerous.

The audio system are additionally a step up over those in the usual Chromebook Plus 514; whereas they’re not the most effective laptop computer audio system I’ve ever heard, they’ve a considerably fuller tone that’s much less tinny. Sadly, I can’t choose the webcam at this level because the mannequin I reviewed didn’t have the ultimate webcam {hardware} in place. Mine has a normal 1080p digicam, however the ultimate mannequin promoting in Greatest Purchase steps as much as a 5-megapixel webcam. That ought to provide considerably higher video name high quality, however with out testing it I can’t say the way it appears to be like in apply. That stated, the 1080p webcam on the pc I examined had stable shade stability and was a lot sharp for my makes use of.

The mannequin I examined is promoting at Greatest Purchase for $700, a excessive worth that feels honest given the standard of this pc. Acer additionally plans to promote the Chromebook Plus Spin 514 instantly from its website with 16GB of RAM and a high-res, 2,880 x 1,800 display for $750. That’s a pleasant display for that worth, however I wager most individuals might be proud of this mannequin. And whereas this pc simply got here out, we’ll be keeping track of Greatest Purchase to see if it will get any worth reductions within the coming months, as a result of then it’ll be even simpler to suggest.

Execs

Nice battery life
Wonderful efficiency
Strong keyboard, trackpad and show
Moderately skinny and lightweight for the worth

Cons

Costly
I want there have been USB-C ports on each side
Audio system and webcam are simply okay

$699 at Best Buy

Photograph 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 up to date it in 2024 with Intel’s Core 5 120U chip. The excellent news is that you just don’t should 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 another excuse avid gamers is perhaps concerned about attempting it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and clear display and refined {hardware}.

It additionally contains Intel’s Core 5 120U 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 enjoying video games or simply typing up stories. 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. We haven’t examined the 2024 mannequin but, so I can’t verify the battery life; Acer claims 10 hours, a determine that’ll certainly dip for those who’re doing greater than watching movies or informal internet looking. Between the highly effective {hardware}, stable design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display, anybody who needs an even bigger Chromebook will probably be proud of this mannequin.

As for assist, Google says the Plus 516 GE will obtain updates till June of 2032. That shorter assist timeline is my most important concern about this laptop computer at this level — I’m protecting my eye out to see if Acer updates this mannequin quickly or if there’s one other newer choose with an extended assist window.

Execs

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

Cons

Not everybody will respect the gamer aesthetic

$649 at Best Buy

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is a wonderful laptop computer – but when I used to be going to select one Chromebook to make my main pc, it could be Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14. To me, it feels just like the replace to Google’s own Pixelbook Go that we by no means received. Which means it’s skinny (0.62 inches), mild (2.75 kilos) and solidly constructed with out being terribly flashy. However it feels much more attention-grabbing than the generic laptop computer vibes I can’t assist however get from Acer; smaller bezels across the show and the ridged, textured underside of the laptop computer make it really feel extra premium and distinctive.

The OLED touchscreen is a standout. Whereas it’s the identical decision because the Spin 514, it’s noticeably brighter and colours are extra vivid with out feeling blown out. I’d be completely happy to see it in the next decision, however I believe it strikes a great stability between sharpness and total high quality with out going to 4K the place battery life is perhaps affected.

I additionally love the keyboard and trackpad, each of which simply really feel barely nicer than these on the Acer. The keys don’t have fairly as a lot journey, however they really feel extra stable and barely much less wobbly. It is perhaps a matter of non-public desire at this level as each keyboards are excellent, however I really feel like I can sort quicker and extra precisely on the Lenovo. The trackpad can be much less vulnerable to unintentional enter from my palm after I’m typing. There’s a fingerprint reader under the keyboard for biometric authentication too, which is one other good luxurious to have. The trackpad is easy and fairly massive, virtually as large because the one on my MacBook Professional.

Different particulars just like the webcam and audio system are properly executed right here, as properly. The 5-megapixel digicam is my favourite out of the varied Chromebooks I’ve examined, with correct shade replica and a pointy image total. The audio system are additionally the most effective I’ve examined on this newest roundup, with spectacular music playback regardless of the laptop computer’s skinny measurement. Lenovo says these audio system assist Dolby Atmos, and music had extra depth and element when taking part in Atmos tracks from Apple Music. However even with out taking part in Atmos content material, the Lenovo’s audio system merely sounded excellent.

As for efficiency, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 runs the identical MediaTek Kompanio Extremely 910 chip as Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514, so all the great issues I needed to say about it apply right here as properly. It’s extraordinarily responsive in daily use and may carry out properly for years to come back; AI efficiency utilizing numerous Gemini instruments was additionally fairly snappy. And the Lenovo’s battery life is the most effective of any Chromebook I’ve examined, lasting over 14 hours in our video playback check and about 10 hours of normal utilization throughout my typical workday.

Total, the Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14 and Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 14 are very comparable and you may’t go unsuitable with both if you’re on the lookout for a high-quality laptop computer that’ll work properly now and into the longer term. I worth the Lenovo’s OLED display, keyboard and higher audio system over the Spin’s 360-degree hinge, however your mileage might differ. For me, although, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is the most effective Chromebook you should buy.

Execs

Nice battery life
Wonderful efficiency
OLED show is sharp and vivid
My favourite keyboard on a Chromebook
Premium design is skinny, mild and fashionable

Cons

Costly
Small variety of ports

$749 at Best Buy

Greatest 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 available on the market, so why hassle with Chrome’s working system? Glad you requested. For me, the straightforward and clear nature of Chrome OS is a giant promoting level. Chrome OS relies on Google’s Chrome browser, which suggests a lot of the applications you possibly can 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 may fully reset to manufacturing facility settings virtually as rapidly.

In fact, simplicity will even be a serious disadvantage for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program generally is a dealbreaker for those who’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 with no need 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 enhancing instruments to the Google Photographs app on Chromebooks – it received’t change Adobe Premiere, nevertheless it ought to be useful for lots of people. Equally, 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 may also run Android apps, which enormously expands the quantity of software program accessible. The standard varies broadly, nevertheless it means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you possibly can 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 basic 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 numerous social media websites are among the many most typical each day duties folks do on Chromebooks. As you would possibly anticipate, in addition they work properly with Google companies like Photographs, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Maintain and so forth. Sure, any pc 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 for those who’re an Android consumer you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You may get a lot of the identical apps which can be in your telephone on a Chromebook and maintain data in sync between them. You too can use some Android telephones as a safety key on your Chromebook or immediately tether your 2-in-1 laptop computer to make use of cellular knowledge.

Google continues to tout safety as a serious differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s undoubtedly an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary strains 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 straightforward reality that you just typically can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for unhealthy actors to entry the system.

Should you’re concerned about Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an effective possibility as properly. Each Chromebook in our high picks comes with a full 12 months of Google’s AI Pro 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 Chrome, Gmail, Google Docs and different apps, Gemini 2.5 Professional within the Gemini app 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 Photographs Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you possibly can create by filling in a couple of prompts.

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

Lastly, gaming Chromebooks will not be ubiquitous, though they’re changing into a barely extra affordable 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, meaning laptops with larger screens which have larger 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 inconceivable. You too can set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are considering of once they need to sport on a laptop computer.

What are an important specs for a Chromebook?

Chrome OS is light-weight and runs properly on pretty modest {hardware}, so an important factor to search for may not be processor energy or space for storing. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final 12 months when it launched the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any system 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 most effective laptop computer they will use day-after-day.

Chromebook Plus fashions have not less than a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 sequence processor, each of which ought 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 sweet in today of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all must have not less than a 1080p FHD IPS display.

In fact, you may get larger specs or higher screens for those who need, however I’ve discovered that principally every little 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 12 months, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and assist for a formidable 10 years after their launch date. This assist web page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however a great rule of thumb is to purchase the latest machine you possibly can to maximise your assist.

How a lot ought to I spend on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks began out notoriously low-cost, with record costs typically coming in beneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being primarily trendy netbooks to a number of the finest laptops you’ll need to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, it’s best to anticipate to spend not less than $400 if you need a stable each day driver. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks on the market accessible at a low worth that could be appropriate as secondary units, however a great Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will price extra. However, notably, even the most effective Chromebooks normally price lower than the most effective Home windows laptops, and even the most effective “common” laptops on the market.

There are a handful of 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 additional space for storing, like a higher-capacity SSD. In fact, you additionally typically pay for the model identify. However, the specs I outlined earlier are normally sufficient, and there are a number of good premium Chromebooks within the $700 to $800 vary at this level.

See Additionally:

Different Chromebooks we examined

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

This was our choose for finest total Chromebook for years, and it’s nonetheless one of many higher choices you will discover for a fundamental laptop computer that doesn’t break the financial institution. It’s a couple of years older than our present high choose, so its processor isn’t contemporary and it solely has 128GB of storage. It additionally received’t get updates from Google so long as newer fashions. However it nonetheless combines a pleasant display and keyboard with stable efficiency. This laptop computer usually prices $500, which feels excessive given its a couple of years previous and Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is simply $350, but when you will discover it on sale and may’t discover the Acer it’s price a glance.

ASUS CX15

This Chromebook is extraordinarily reasonably priced – you possibly can at present choose it up for under $159 at Walmart. That worth and its massive 15.6-inch display is principally what it has going for it, because the Intel Celeron N4500 chip and 4GB of RAM powering it doesn’t present good efficiency for those who’re doing something greater than looking with a couple of tabs open. Should you’re purchasing for somebody with extraordinarily fundamental wants and have a small funds, the CX15 would possibly match the invoice. However simply bear in mind that you just get what you pay for.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus

Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus, launched in late 2024, 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, nevertheless it manages to incorporate a 15.6-inch show in that body. That display is a 1080p panel that’s sharp and shiny, however its 16:9 facet ratio made issues really feel a bit cramped when scrolling vertically. Efficiency is excellent, and the keyboard is stable, although I’m not a fan of the quantity pad because it shifts every little 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 laptop computer that can be tremendous mild, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the best choice for everybody.

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