The most effective Chromebook you should purchase in 2025

Whether or not you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop computer for college or a smooth machine for on a regular basis productiveness, the perfect Chromebooks can supply stunning performance for the value. Chromebooks have come a great distance from their early days as web-only gadgets. Now, many Chromebook fashions characteristic highly effective processors, premium shows and even touchscreen assist, making them a compelling different to an everyday 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 substitute 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 probably a mannequin that matches each your funds and your workflow. We’ve examined the highest Chromebooks in the marketplace that can assist you discover the best one — whether or not you’re after most worth or top-tier efficiency.

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Greatest Chromebooks in 2025

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

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 value and efficiency. At solely $350, it’s cheaper than my earlier choose for the perfect Chromebook (Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus) and improves on it in a number of methods.

The massive 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 reasonably 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 vibrant and clear and has the marginally taller 16:10 facet ratio that you just don’t typically discover in laptops at this value level – they’re normally caught with narrower 1080p shows. One factor the Acer provides up compared to the Lenovo is a 360-degree hinge, however I’ve at all times discovered that to be a moderately area of interest characteristic that isn’t a compelling promoting level.

Design-wise, it is a utilitarian slab of a laptop computer, however it’s simply skinny (0.71 inches) and light-weight (3.1 kilos) sufficient to really feel compact and simple to journey with. The keyboard and trackpad, in the meantime, really feel significantly better than I’d anticipate on a laptop computer at this value. 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 clean and huge; my solely grievance is that it often was activated by the aspect of my palm whereas typing.

The principle 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 digital camera. They’ll definitely do in a pinch, and they’re anticipated corners to be reduce on a reasonably budget-priced laptop computer – however if you happen to take numerous 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 acquired a bit beneath seven hours whereas going via my regular workday (plenty of Chrome tabs, a handful of internet and Android apps like Hold, Google Chat, YouTube Music, Lightroom and Todoist). That’s not distinctive, however except you actually have to be away from energy for lengthy durations frequently it must be ok (particularly at this value).

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

Professionals

Comparatively compact and light-weight
First rate efficiency and battery life for the value
Massive storage cap
Strong keyboard, trackpad and show

Cons

Tinny audio system
Mediocre webcam

$350 at Costco

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

Acer’s brand-new Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is reduce from a really comparable fabric as the usual 514 we advocate, 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, moderately than the usual Intel or AMD fare. This makes a significant distinction in how the Spin 514 performs. There are not one of the occasional slowdown or hiccups that also occur on Intel-based fashions in case you have too many home windows or apps open. Tabs hardly ever have to reload and pop again up shortly 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 complete story, however it’s illustrative of how performant this chip is.

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

Past the MediaTek chip, you’ll discover 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage; I’m shocked that it has much less storage than a laptop computer that prices half as a lot, however 256GB is usually loads for ChromeOS because it depends totally on the cloud. The keyboard, trackpad and touchscreen show are all glorious, and battery life is outstanding. I acquired 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 exhausting.

The audio system are additionally a step up over those in the usual Chromebook Plus 514; whereas they’re not the perfect 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 regular 1080p digital camera, however the ultimate mannequin promoting in Greatest Purchase steps as much as a 5-megapixel webcam. That ought to supply considerably higher video name high quality, however with out testing it I can’t say the way it seems to be in observe. That mentioned, the 1080p webcam on the pc I examined had strong colour steadiness and was loads sharp for my makes use of.

The mannequin I examined is promoting at Greatest Purchase for $700, a excessive value that feels truthful given the standard of this laptop. 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 screen for $750. That’s a pleasant display screen for that value, however I wager most individuals might be pleased with this mannequin. And whereas this laptop simply got here out, we’ll be maintaining a tally of Greatest Purchase to see if it will get any value reductions within the coming months, as a result of then it’ll be even simpler to advocate.

Professionals

Nice battery life
Glorious efficiency
Strong keyboard, trackpad and show
Moderately skinny and light-weight for the value

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 gadgets 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 have to 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 could be keen on making an attempt it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and clear display screen and refined {hardware}.

It additionally consists of 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 could customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a strong 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 gentle 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 certainly dip if you happen to’re doing greater than watching movies or informal internet looking. Between the highly effective {hardware}, strong design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display screen, anybody who desires a much bigger Chromebook will probably be pleased with this mannequin.

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

Professionals

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

Cons

Not everybody will recognize the gamer aesthetic

$649 at Best Buy

Nathan Ingraham for Engadget

Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is a superb laptop computer – but when I used to be going to select one Chromebook to make my main laptop, it might 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 acquired. Which means it’s skinny (0.62 inches), gentle (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 satisfied to see it in the next decision, however I believe it strikes an excellent steadiness between sharpness and total high quality with out going to 4K the place battery life could be 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 strong and barely much less wobbly. It could be a matter of private 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 also be much less liable to unintended enter from my palm after I’m typing. There’s a fingerprint reader beneath the keyboard for biometric authentication too, which is one other good luxurious to have. The trackpad is clean and fairly massive, virtually as huge 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 digital camera is my favourite out of the assorted Chromebooks I’ve examined, with correct colour copy and a pointy image total. The audio system are additionally the perfect 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 nice issues I needed to say about it apply right here as properly. It’s extraordinarily responsive in day after day 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 perfect 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 incorrect with both if you’re in search of a high-quality laptop computer that’ll work properly now and into the longer term. I worth the Lenovo’s OLED display screen, keyboard and higher audio system over the Spin’s 360-degree hinge, however your mileage could fluctuate. For me, although, the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 is the perfect Chromebook you should purchase.

Professionals

Nice battery life
Glorious efficiency
OLED show is sharp and vivid
My favourite keyboard on a Chromebook
Premium design is skinny, gentle and stylish

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 most likely 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 an enormous 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 primarily based. 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 shortly.

After all, simplicity may also be a significant disadvantage for some customers. Not with the ability to set up native software program could be a dealbreaker if you happen to’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do nearly all of their work in an online 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 modifying instruments to the Google Images app on Chromebooks – it gained’t substitute Adobe Premiere, however it must be helpful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the net in 2023, one thing that brings a lot of the ability of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.

Chromebooks may run Android apps, which vastly expands the quantity of software program obtainable. The standard varies extensively, however it 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 primarily based. On-line purchasing, streaming music and video and utilizing numerous 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, Hold 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 steady platform.

As I discussed earlier than, Chrome OS can run Android apps, so if you happen to’re an Android consumer you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You may get a lot of the identical apps which might be in your cellphone on a Chromebook and hold data in sync between them. You may also use some Android telephones as a safety key to your Chromebook or immediately tether your 2-in-1 laptop computer to make use of cellular information.

Google continues to tout safety as a significant differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s positively an element value contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary strains of protection: Chrome OS updates obtain shortly 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 referred to as Verified Boot that runs each time a tool begins up. Past all this, the easy truth that you just usually can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for dangerous actors to entry the system.

In the event you’re keen on Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an efficient choice as properly. Each Chromebook in our prime picks comes with a full yr of Google’s AI Pro plan — this combines the same old Google One perks like 2TB of storage and 10 % 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. Provided that this plan is $20/month, it’s a reasonably strong perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embrace 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 just a few prompts.

As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is easy: In the event you rely closely on a selected native utility for Home windows or a Mac, likelihood is you gained’t discover the very same choice on a ChromeOS gadget. That’s most true in fields like picture and video modifying, however it may also 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. In the event 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 massive draw back isn’t with the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.

Lastly, gaming Chromebooks are usually not ubiquitous, though they’re turning into a barely extra affordable choice 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 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 unattainable. You may also 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 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 advocate most individuals get in the event that they’re in search of the perfect laptop computer they will use day by 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 must 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 except you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions should have a 1080p webcam, which is good in lately of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all should have not less than a 1080p FHD IPS display screen.

After all, you will get greater specs or higher screens if you happen to want, however I’ve discovered that mainly the whole lot 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 value checking before you purchase. Final yr, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and assist for a powerful 10 years after their launch date. This assist web page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however an excellent rule of thumb is to purchase the latest machine you’ll be able to to maximise your assist.

How a lot ought to I spend on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks began out notoriously low-cost, with listing costs typically coming in beneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being basically 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 is best to anticipate to spend not less than $400 in order for you a strong every day driver. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks on the market obtainable at a low value that could be appropriate as secondary gadgets, however an excellent Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will value extra. However, notably, even the perfect Chromebooks normally value lower than the perfect Home windows laptops, and even the perfect “common” laptops on the market.

There are a handful of premium Chromebooks that method and even exceed $1,000 that declare to supply higher efficiency and extra processing energy, however I don’t advocate spending that a lot. Usually, 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 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’ll find for a fundamental laptop computer that doesn’t break the financial institution. It’s just a few years older than our present prime choose, so its processor isn’t recent and it solely has 128GB of storage. It additionally gained’t get updates from Google so long as newer fashions. However it nonetheless combines a pleasant display screen and keyboard with strong efficiency. This laptop computer usually prices $500, which feels excessive given its just a few years previous and Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is just $350, but when you’ll find it on sale and may’t discover the Acer it’s value a glance.

ASUS CX15

This Chromebook is extraordinarily inexpensive – you’ll be able to presently choose it up for less than $159 at Walmart. That value and its massive 15.6-inch display screen is especially what it has going for it, because the Intel Celeron N4500 chip and 4GB of RAM powering it doesn’t present good efficiency if you happen to’re doing something greater than looking with just a few tabs open. In the event you’re looking for somebody with extraordinarily fundamental wants and have a small funds, the CX15 would possibly match the invoice. However simply remember 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 light-weight, at 0.46 inches and a pair of.6 kilos, however it 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 strong, although I’m not a fan of the quantity pad because it shifts the whole lot to the left. At $700 it’s not low-cost, however that feels truthful contemplating its measurement and capabilities. In the event you’re in search of an enormous display screen laptop computer that can also be tremendous gentle, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the best choice for everybody.

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