Chromebooks have made leaps and bounds from the affordable cookie-cutter laptops relying on the Internet they once were, and our favorite of the bunch is the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2. However, there are plenty of alternate options, whether you're looking for a great, all-arounder, something that’ll survive the rigors of the classroom, or a high-end device that’ll make the best Ultrabook owners jealous.
TL;DR – These are the Best Chromebooks:
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
- Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook
- Asus Chromebook Flip CX5
- Acer Chromebook Spin 714
- Acer Chromebook Plus 515
- Acer Chromebook 516 GE
Chromebooks have become little workhorses with more processing power and storage. Though Chrome OS still isn't ready to hang with the best laptops and Macbooks just yet, you can get tons of work done on these devices, and some will even take on some light gaming. With the introduction of Chromebook Plus, these rigs are becoming even better productivity tools. Plus, the form factor differs from tablets to clamshell laptops and convertible notebooks, and they all come in at various price points.
So, to help in your search, we’ve found nine top Chromebooks ready for whatever your needs may be. You may even score a great Chromebook deal on one.
Best Chromebooks
1. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
Best Chromebook
Pros:
- Sturdy, striking build
- Stunning QLED display
Cons:
- Some models are pricey
While you can find a lot of Chromebooks offering just a pittance of memory to feed a meager CPU all alongside a basic display in a ho-hum chassis, Samsung takes things to the max. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is something special right from the metal design and optional Fiesta Red finish to the unique display.
Samsung offers a modest model with an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage or a beefier version with an Intel Core i3, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. In either case, you'll be getting a machine that can slowly sip at its 45.5Wh battery for up to 13 hours so you can get a ton done away from the power outlet. When you're done working, you'll get a special treat for enjoying media with the Galaxy Chromebook 2's 13.3-inch 1080p display by way of its QLED technology, which lets the display offer a wide color gamut and excellent brightness. You can draw on that display as well using any USI pen.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook
Best Budget Chromebook
Pros:
- Great display for the price
- Sturdy build
Cons:
- Modest internals
Grab the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook for under $400, and you’ll enjoy a surprisingly sturdy plastic chassis, a responsive 10-point touch screen, and a commendable performance that punches above its weight. This isn’t the beefiest machine, but the quad-core Intel N100 processor combined with 4GB of RAM allows it to play nicely with Android apps and keep up to speed when browsing the web. Working from programs in the cloud can take some of the burden off those more modest internals.
Given Flex is in the name, this affordable Chromebook’s display spins around 360 degrees, allowing you to place it in laptop mode, tented as a display, and folded open like the best Android tablets. That screen features a sharp resolution and IPS panel for great viewing from almost any angle. There is no shortage of ports either, including an HDMI and SD card reader, while an all-day battery life and compact design make the Flex 3i a perfect travel companion.
3. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go
Best Chromebook for Students
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Compact, durable build
Cons:
- Low-resolution display
As a student, you need a machine that can go the distance, hold up against the occasional accident, and avoid weighing you down. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go does all of that for around $300. This Chromebook offers a thin and light design that measures just 0.63 inches thick and weighs just over three pounds. Plus, Samsung has built it sturdy, with the toughness to withstand the occasional mishap and even small spills. So, you'll have no worries tossing it in your bag between classes or dropping some of your meal on it during a lunchtime study sesh. And, with a 12-hour battery life, you can keep going all of the school day and finish up assignments at night on one charge.
The Galaxy Chromebook Go has modest specs overall, with an Intel Celeron N4500 processor and 4GB of LPDDR4x memory as well as a 14-inch HD display. But, Samsung has given this Chromebook a boon with updated connectivity. It supports Wi-Fi 6, so if you use cloud services for more demanding tasks than the Galaxy Chromebook Go can handle on-device, that Wi-Fi 6 connection will seriously improve the experience. All of this makes it one of the best Chromebooks for students.
4. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
Best Chrome Tablet
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Brilliant OLED 1080p display
Cons:
- Mediocre keyboard
While most Chromebooks offer screens that flip over to turn themselves into makeshift tablets, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is one of the few true Chrome OS tablets on the market. This detachable laptop has an ultra-thin, lightweight chassis with an integrated kickstand and detachable fabric folio keyboard, making it perfect for you to use anywhere. Plus, the 15-hour battery life means it should last as long as you need it to.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 comes loaded with a brilliant OLED 1080p display which emits 70% less blue light, preventing eye strain, making it perfect for long work sessions or marathoning your favorite shows. Its 2.55 GHz Snapdragon processor keeps this tablet running at a peppy pace and is more than capable of multitasking as you run all your favorite Android apps. Though a bit pricer than some of the other best tablets on the market, this Chrome OS device will impress you with all it has to offer.
5. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook
Best 4K Chromebook
Pros:
- Beautiful 4K AMOLED touchscreen
- Included, stowable S-pen
Cons:
- Poor battery life
If you’re looking to buy a Chromebook for streaming 4K media and making Ultrabook owners envious, you’ll want to check out the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook. To date, this machine is the only Chromebook with a 4K display. What’s more, it uses an AMOLED screen for true blacks while also covering 100% of the Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 color spectrums. This cinema-quality screen even incorporates Ambient EQ technology to adapt the color temperature and brightness of the display just like Samsung’s smartphones.
Aside from incorporating a stunning display, this Chromebook runs on an Intel Core i5-10210U processor and 8GB of memory. Storage space meanwhile starts with a 256GB SSD, so you’ll never have to worry about not having enough power or space to run your Android apps. The cherry on top of this premium 4K Chromebook is the included, stowable S-Pen for one of the best digital writing experiences you can have on Chrome OS.
6. Asus Chromebook Flip CX5
Best 2-in-1 Chromebook
Pros:
- Versatile display
- Powerful internals
Cons:
- Screen could be brighter
Want a laptop and tablet in one package? The best 2-in-1 laptops are the way to go, and the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 is the perfect Chromebook for the job. Beyond functioning like your standard laptop, you get a hinge that lets you flip the display around, letting you place it at almost any angle to use in various ways. You’ll love that screen too, as it’s a massive 16-inches with a nanoedge. We just wish it was a little brighter and bumped up the resolution to QHD to avoid pixel peeping, but none of this is surprising considering it’s a Chromebook.
The Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 display’s versatility is great, but what’s on the inside might be even better. Running the show is an Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM, ensuring this device is ready to juggle multiple tasks and even take on some cloud gaming. The 128GB of SSD storage is hefty for a Chromebook, so you’ll enjoy the speedy boots and saves. All this capability is packed into a sizable, durable package with a tactile keyboard and a robust selection of ports.
7. Acer Chromebook Spin 714
Best Chromebook Plus Certified Chromebook
Pros:
- Impressive performance with everyday tasks
- Sharp, responsive display
Cons:
- Hefty when using in tablet mode
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is a top-notch Chromebook equipped with all the components to be Chromebook Plus certified, letting you enjoy more advanced apps to assist in productivity and creativity. Under the hood, you’ll find a 13th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage, making it one of the most powerful Chromebooks on this guide. You’ll have no problem running multiple apps simultaneously with quick swapping between them, perfect for day-to-day tasks. If you’re looking to game, it can handle some indies but don’t expect to be playing AAA titles at their top settings.
For how great the Spin 714 is on the inside, it’s equally great on the outside. Rather than the typical plastic body of Chromebooks, this one features a sturdy and sleek aluminum chassis. Its bright 14-inch touchscreen with 100% sRGB color coverage is crisp, accurate, and responsive, while the durable 360-hinge lets you fold the display in a multitude of ways for extra functionality. However, you may find the device a bit hefty when using it in tablet mode. Still considering the solid internals and excellent build quality not to mention the all-day battery life and sharp webcam, this mid-range Chromebook is hard to beat.
8. Acer Chromebook Plus 515
Best 15-inch Chromebook
Pros:
- Great price to performance
- Large 15.6-inch full HD display
Cons:
- Disappointing nonbacklit keyboard
Most Chromebooks keep more compact dimensions and thus have a smaller display, but sometimes you’d like a little more screen real estate, and the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 makes that happen. This reasonably priced option features a 15.6-inch Full HD display, providing plenty of space when streaming your favorite TV shows or getting work done on Google Sheets or Docs. It’s not the brightest and there’s no touchscreen, though it’s still ideal for entertainment and productivity.
An Intel Core i3 processor with two Performance cores, four Efficient cores, and eight threads paired with 8GB LPDDR5X memory provides plenty of oomph for average, everyday tasks. It’s even a Chromebook Plus device, however, it won’t make the best gaming or editing machine. You may find that the nonbacklit keyboard is a little lackluster when you’re going through your daily workload. Luckily, with the large selection of ports, you can easily grab one of the best keyboards to slot in for a better typing experience.
9. Acer Chromebook 516 GE
Best Gaming Chromebook
Pros:
- Sharp 16-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Powerful processor and RAM
Cons:
- Integrated graphics
If you’re searching for a budget-friendly gaming laptop, Chromebooks have become highly capable workhorses that especially shine in the cloud gaming arena. The best example of that endurance and stellar performance is the Acer Chromebook 516 GE with its 12th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU that totes 12 cores and 16 threads alongside 8GB of memory and 256GB of SSD storage. Unfortunately, you get an integrated graphics card to help keep the price lower, but its other internals allow this laptop to cruise through your favorite titles.
All that good under the hood pairs well with the Acer Chromebook 516 GE’s 16-inch WQXGA display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and 100% sRGB coverage for smooth and vibrant graphics. Though, it isn’t a touchscreen. However, unlike most Chromebooks, you get multi-zone RGB lighting and anti-ghosting on the keyboard, which gamers will appreciate.
How to Choose the Best Chromebook
When deciding on a Chromebook, your budget is the most important determining factor. Chromebooks are known for being some of the best cheap laptop alternatives, but we now see some jumping in price to over $1,000. Still, you can find great low-cost options, perfect for casual usage and more basic tasks, or if you’re willing to spend, some are ready to take on a more demanding workload and some light gaming.
No matter if you’re looking for an underpowered machine for web browsing or a beefier option that can tackle heavier tasks, you’ll want decent internals. 4GB of RAM and a solid quad-core processor is the minimum specs you should seek out. You’re even okay to go back a few generations on the processor, saving a couple of bucks. Luckily, Cloud OS requires just a small amount of storage, usually 32GB, but if you want to download music, movies, and apps, that space fills up quickly.
Chromebooks are versatile devices that come in various form factors, from convertibles and detachables to tablets. If you’re looking to stream or sketch on the device, it’s worth considering one of these options. For portability, weight, size, and durability must be considered. Cheaper options often feature plastic bodies, and by upping the budget, you’ll enjoy a sturdier aluminum chassis.
Of course, a great feature set is a must. A crisp, bright display makes for easy viewing. Some budget options struggle in that arena, but when you up the budget, you’ll find stunning, large OLED displays with sharp resolutions. For on-the-go usage, a long battery life is nice to have, while a responsive keyboard and trackpad will make your life easier. Still, if there’s a solid I/O, you can slot in the best mouse or keyboard instead.
Chromebook FAQ
Is a laptop better than a Chromebook?
Not necessarily. It depends on your needs. If you’re after a low-cost option ready to tackle your day-to-day web browsing and streaming, web-based Chromebooks are great and easy to use. You’ll often enjoy a long battery life and portability, but the specs are more limiting with a heavy reliance on the cloud for storage. Laptops on the other hand pack in more storage and RAM while running on Windows OS for added versatility. However, web browsing doesn’t feel any better than a Chromebook.
Find more information on Chromebooks vs. Laptops here.
What is Chromebook Plus?
Google recently introduced a new Chromebook known as the Chromebook Plus. These are a more powerful version of your average Chromebook with advanced apps and features that run on a special OS and can do more offline.
Unlike Chromebooks with very minimal requirements to function, a Chromebook Plus must deliver on all the specs below:
- CPU: Intel Core i3 12th Generation or above, or AMD Ryzen 3 5000 series or above
- RAM: 8 GB or more
- Storage: 128 GB or more
- Web camera: 1080p or better with Temporal Noise Reduction
- Display: Full HD IPS or better
Some non “plus” models work with the new Chromebook Plus OS. Google has noted those Chromebooks here.
Kevin Lee is IGN's Hardware and Roundups Editor. Follow him on Twitter @baggingspam.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
