One of the best Chromebook you should buy in 2025

[ad_1] Chromebooks have turn out to be a go-to selection for college students, informal customers and anybody who needs a easy, quick and reasonably priced laptop computer. Powered by Google’s light-weight ChromeOS, these gadgets are nice for net shopping, streaming, phrase processing and utilizing standard apps like Google Docs or Zoom. Whether or not you want one thing for college, work or on a regular basis use, the very best Chromebook can supply stable efficiency, lengthy battery life and a surprisingly premium expertise — all with out breaking the financial institution.

With so many fashions to select from, discovering the very best Chromebook relies on what you want most: a vivid show, stable construct high quality, tablet-style 2-in-1 options or simply the bottom value attainable. Right here, we’ve collected our high picks for the very best Chromebooks you will get proper now, all of which have a mix of an important options anybody can be on the lookout for.

Desk of contents Greatest Chromebooks in 2025 <img alt="Image for the large product module" class="mx-auto my-0 size-full bg-white @xl/p:transition-transform @xl/p:duration-300 @xl/p:ease-in-out @xl/p:group-hover:scale-110 @xl/p:motion-reduce:group-hover:transition-none object-cover" src="https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/n9XXpTrU4CicNVLviAD.Sg--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-03/6093e780-e780-11ee-ad7c-716242614556" loading="lazy" height="720" width="1280"/> Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Display screen dimension: 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 part 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 12 months’s mannequin. This implies you get extra vertical display actual property, which is one thing I admire over a normal 1080p show. This Lenovo mannequin hits the Chromebook Plus advisable 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 a lot, so that you’ll get good efficiency from this machine.

Sadly, the battery life is pretty mediocre — I bought about six hours of normal use out of it. My workflow features a ton of Chrome tabs, plus net apps for issues like Slack, Todoist, Trello, Google Maintain and YouTube Music. I often take a number of video calls through the day, so when you’re not on digicam a lot you may 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 superb and really feel significantly better than I’d count on on a reasonably reasonably priced machine. The keys have good journey and the trackpad is massive and responsive. Even though it has a 1080p webcam, I can’t say that I regarded all that nice within the video calls I took. It does the job, however not far more.

Different issues within the Flex 5i’s favor embrace 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 commonplace. At 3.5 kilos and 0.78 inches thick, it’s positively not the lightest or slimmest choice 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 pc and have it coated for years to return.

For me, the $500 Ideapad Flex 5i is the perfect 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 latest months. It’ll hit the candy spot for lots of patrons on the market, offering a stage of high quality and efficiency that’s fairly uncommon to seek out at this value level. That stated, it’s getting lengthy within the tooth in comparison with the remainder of our picks, so I’m preserving an eye fixed out for an replace from Lenovo or a alternative from one other producer.

Execs Good total efficiency for the priceNice displaySolid keyboard and trackpad Cons Mediocre battery lifeA 12 months older than our different picks $420 at Amazon <img alt="Image for the large product module" class="mx-auto my-0 size-full bg-white @xl/p:transition-transform @xl/p:duration-300 @xl/p:ease-in-out @xl/p:group-hover:scale-110 @xl/p:motion-reduce:group-hover:transition-none object-cover" src="https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/aRzLa9t1pmQDBEKfSkvpVQ--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-06/330fdcd0-37c4-11ef-bcf7-4f4276ef102e" loading="lazy" height="720" width="1280"/> Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

When Google first launched the Chromebook Plus line virtually a 12 months in the past, fashions with that designation began at $400 — however since, issues have gotten cheaper. 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 put in writing residence about, however you’re getting a number of worth for a laptop computer priced at $380. It additionally consists of the aforementioned AI options and a 12 months’s value of the $20/month Google One AI Premium plan, which features a beneficiant 2TB of cloud storage in your photographs, Drive and Gmail information.

Design-wise, the Plus 514 is fairly primary, however it will get the job completed; it’s your commonplace laptop computer with a 14-inch show. It’s neither overly skinny (.81 inches) or gentle (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.) Similar goes for the display — it’s a touchscreen, and its 1,920 x 1,080 decision is ok, 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 adequate for a laptop computer at this value.

General, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a stable choice if price is your fundamental concern — however it’s additionally value noting that the Lenovo mannequin we picked as the very best total Chromebook is usually on sale, generally for beneath $400 as nicely. In that case, the value distinction between the 2 laptops is shut sufficient that it’s value 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 good deal for a succesful Chromebook.

Execs InexpensivePerformance, specs and constructed high quality are all good for this priceSolid show and webcam Cons 1080p show generally feels cramped $360 at Amazon <img alt="Image for the large product module" class="mx-auto my-0 size-full bg-white @xl/p:transition-transform @xl/p:duration-300 @xl/p:ease-in-out @xl/p:group-hover:scale-110 @xl/p:motion-reduce:group-hover:transition-none object-cover" src="https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/AhBtC5ezvfEHJzU4PgUSOg--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-07/4db2b5d0-37c4-11ef-bffe-6a7208f99ba7" loading="lazy" height="720" width="1280"/> Photograph 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 incorporates a 14-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 touchscreen. Just like the display on Lenovo’s mannequin, this works out to a taller 16:10 side ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on most laptops. I’m an enormous fan of taller laptop computer screens, and whereas this isn’t as luxurious because the few 3:2 ratio Chromebooks available on the market, it’s nonetheless a cushty and prime quality display. It’s additionally a bit bit brighter than the display 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 cut back you to a blurry spot is certainly appreciated. It’s a much better digicam than the one on our high choose, 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 sometimes bought about eight hours utilizing it beneath my regular workload. That’s not distinctive, however it’s in keeping with 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, however it’s there when you want it. That stated, 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 identical primary design for a number of generations now, so I’m beginning to assume they might redesign the chassis for the following 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 by means of June of 2034), the Acer Spin 714 is straightforward to advocate.

Execs Nice screenClear webcamPlenty of energy and storage spaceComfortable keyboard and trackpad Cons A bit of priceyMediocre battery life $699 at Greatest Purchase <img alt="Image for the large product module" class="mx-auto my-0 size-full bg-white @xl/p:transition-transform @xl/p:duration-300 @xl/p:ease-in-out @xl/p:group-hover:scale-110 @xl/p:motion-reduce:group-hover:transition-none object-cover" src="https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/P2TgfIkg0C7DtAK9Pmb5VA--~B/Zmk9c3RyaW07aD03MjA7dz0xMjgwO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://s.yimg.com/os/creatr-uploaded-images/2024-03/5a6738d0-e5f0-11ee-abff-e39eab9ee930" loading="lazy" height="720" width="1280"/> 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 simply up to date it for 2024. The excellent news is that you simply 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 charge. 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 may be fascinated about making an attempt it. However even non-gamers ought to benefit from the Plus 516 GE’s crisp and clear display and refined {hardware}.

It additionally consists of Intel’s Core 5 120UL chip, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Given the laptop computer’s dimension, 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 that you may customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a stable and cozy keyboard for enjoying video games or simply typing up studies. The trackpad is massive and responsive as nicely.

The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – fairly gentle 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 when you’re doing greater than watching movies or informal net shopping. Between the highly effective {hardware}, stable design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display, anybody who needs a much bigger Chromebook will possible be pleased with this mannequin. As for help, Google says the Plus 516 GE will obtain updates till June of 2032.

Execs Giant, high-resolution display with a quick refresh ratePlenty of portsCore 5 chip supplies loads of powerLarge and spacious keyboardRelatively light-weight for a big-screen laptop computer Cons Not everybody will admire the gamer aesthetic $649 at Greatest Purchase Chromebook FAQs What's Chrome OS, and why would I take advantage of 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 trouble with Chrome's working system? Glad you requested. For me, the straightforward and clear nature of Chrome OS is an enormous promoting level. Chrome OS relies on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies many of the packages you may run are net 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'll utterly reset to manufacturing unit settings virtually as shortly.

In fact, simplicity may even be a significant downside for some customers. Not having the ability to set up native software program could be a dealbreaker when 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 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 Pictures app on Chromebooks – it received’t change Adobe Premiere, however it needs to be useful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the internet final 12 months, one thing that brings a lot of the facility of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.

Chromebooks can even run Android apps, which tremendously 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 may set up the Netflix app and save movies for offline watching. Different Android apps like Microsoft Workplace and Adobe Lightroom are surprisingly succesful as nicely. Between Android apps and a common enchancment in net apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.

What do Chromebooks do nicely? Put merely, net shopping and actually something net primarily based. On-line procuring, streaming music and video and utilizing numerous social media websites are among the many commonest every day duties folks do on Chromebooks. As you may count on, in addition they work nicely with Google companies like Pictures, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Maintain and so forth. Sure, any pc that may run Chrome can do 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 when you’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You will get many of the identical apps which can be in your cellphone on a Chromebook and hold data in sync between them. It's also possible to use some Android telephones as a safety key in 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 traces 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 nicely, 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 truth that you simply usually can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for dangerous actors to entry the system.

Should you’re fascinated about Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an efficient choice as nicely. Each Chromebook in our high picks comes with a full 12 months of the Google One AI Premium 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 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 embrace instruments just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Pictures Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you may create by filling in a number of prompts.

As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is easy: Should you rely closely on a selected native software for Home windows or a Mac, likelihood is you received’t discover the very same choice on a ChromeOS machine. That’s most true in fields like picture and video enhancing, 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. 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 large draw back just isn't having the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.

Lastly, gaming Chromebooks will not be ubiquitous, though they’re turning into a barely extra cheap 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, which means laptops with larger screens which have increased refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with companies like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Recreation Cross 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 fashionable video games on a Chromebook isn’t unattainable. It's also possible to set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are considering of once they need to recreation on a laptop computer.

What are an important specs for a Chromebook? Chrome OS is light-weight and runs nicely on pretty modest {hardware}, so an important factor to search for won't be processor energy or cupboard space. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final 12 months when it launched the Chromebook Plus initiative. Any machine 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 on the lookout for the very best laptop computer they'll use day by day.

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 except you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions must have a 1080p webcam, which is sweet in lately of fixed video calling, and so they additionally all must have at the very least a 1080p FHD IPS display.

In fact, you will get increased specs or higher screens when you need, however I’ve discovered that principally every part included within the Chromebook Plus goal specs makes for an excellent expertise.

Google has an Auto Replace coverage for Chromebooks as nicely, and whereas that’s not precisely a spec, it’s value checking before you purchase. Final 12 months, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and help for a formidable 10 years after their launch date. This help 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 may to maximise your help.

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 fashionable netbooks to a few of the finest laptops you’ll need to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, it's best to count on to spend at the very least $400 if you need a stable 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 price extra. However, notably, even the very best Chromebooks often price lower than the very best Home windows laptops, and even the very best “common” laptops on the market.

There are many 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 cupboard space, like a higher-capacity SSD. In fact, you additionally generally pay for the model title. However, the specs I outlined earlier are often sufficient.

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Different Chromebooks we examined Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus Samsung’s new Galaxy Chromebook Plus is among the extra distinctive Chromebooks on the market. It’s extraordinarily skinny and lightweight, 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 is a 1080p panel that’s sharp and vivid, however its 16:9 side 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 part to the left. At $700 it’s not low-cost, however that feels honest contemplating its dimension and capabilities. Should you’re on the lookout for an enormous display laptop computer that can be tremendous gentle, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the most suitable choice for everybody.