The Best Chromebooks in 2024

There’s no shortage of excellent laptops on the market right now, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend top dollar on your next upgrade. The best Chromebooks offers a cheaper alternative to those expensive laptops with so many options available, from cheap, low-cost models to more premium models with bigger, brighter screens, superb build quality, and beefier hardware.

Many Chromebooks provide amazing battery life, and most run Android apps thanks to Chrome OS support for the Google Play Store. And for anyone not familiar with Chrome OS, maybe students, it’s very easy to learn as it’s a stripped-down alternative to Windows 11 and MacOS. That explains why Chromebooks are a popular choice for students, teachers, and even some officer users because they’re typically cheap and easy to use.

Of course, Chromebooks come with limitations, particularly in processing power and versatility in what you can do with them, but for the most part, Chromebooks are great laptops. Some are among the best 2-in-1 laptops we’ve ever reviewed, with touchscreens ideal for Android apps that are not as good when used with a mouse and keyboard.

And while Chromebooks are considered to be devices for students, in recent years we’ve seen the category include multiple elegant models that are viable replacements for expensive, bulky business laptops.

Below you’ll find our best Chromebooks, and based on our industry expertise and in-depth analysis, you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.

The Quick List

• Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022)
• Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 OLED Chromebook
• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
• Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)
• ASUS Chromebook Flip C434
• Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022)

The Best Chromebooks You can Buy

1. Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022)

Why we picked the Acer Chromebook 516 GE

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE might not be the most powerful laptop around, but it checks all boxes of why Chromebooks were designed in the first place. It rocks a solid construction, is reasonably priced, and it’s got massive power for a Chromebook. You don’t have to spend a lot of time to appreciate what this machine offers.

Of course, if you’re after class-leading gaming performance and an RGB backlit keyboard, alongside a 120Hz refresh rate, that’s unheard of in this category. But the Chromebook 516 GE has some gaming chops up its sleeve. GE naturally stands for ‘Gaming Edition’, and this is just it: Acer is making a case with a solid Intel-powered Chromebook, with some useful new features added in to appeal to the gaming audience.

Again, the Chromebook 516 GE is a great way to get more features than even some of Acer’s best Windows productivity laptops costuming the same or less money. In addition to being one of the fastest Chromebooks you can buy today, it boasts WIFI 6E and an Ethernet port for when you need stable Internet connectivity.

Our suggested Acer Chromebook 516 GE config:

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2. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 OLED Chromebook

Why we picked the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5

How many Chromebooks have you seen with OLED screens? Well, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 is part of the rare Chromebooks that arrive with a gorgeously colorful OLED display, alongside a nifty detachable keyboard that’s bigger than what you’d ordinarily find in previous models. It’s a refined device over its predecessor in both form and function, but the price remains very reachable.

There are a few things a regular laptop user will need to adjust – the keyboard and kickstand feel a little flimsy – plus, it’s not the most seamless to handle. Again, the stylus is still not included as standard, Lenovo sells it separately.

However, that phenomenal battery life of up to 19 hours makes up for most of those shortcomings. It’s wrapped up in a likable, affordable package that’s got an absolute ace that we feel warm calling it the best detachable tablet laptop right now.

Our suggested Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 config:

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3. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

Why we picked the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2

At first, we had the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook with a 4K display, and it was insanely expensive. With the Galaxy Chromebook 2, Samsung offers an affordable Chromebook that still sports a great QLED display and longer battery life – ~8 hours vs the previous gen’s 5:50. It also sounds great, and that Core i3 configuration offers lots of pep for Chrome OS.

That said, the vertical travel in its keyboard is a bit shallow and creates a learning curve that you’ll adapt to over time. But to score a Chromebook that looks this good in Fiesta Red color in a sea of silver Chromebooks and PCs is a steal. Plus, for the low price, the Galaxy Chromebook 2 delivers tremendous value for the money.

Our suggested Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 config:

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4. Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)

Why we picked the Acer Chromebook Spin 714

You’ll spend a little more on the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 than you would with many other Chromebooks, but in return, you’re getting a little more power. And, if you’ll be using it for work, it will get the job done effortlessly than even some Windows laptops selling for around the same price.

Our recommended configuration comes with a 13^th-Gen Intel Core i5 and 8GB RAM that easily handles up to 20 Chrome tabs, with three streaming videos from online platforms, and it doesn’t get any noticeable slowdown.

As expected, the slightly more powerful hardware is there to power the 1920 x 1200p touch display as well as its spectacularly clear 1440p webcam. With up to 15 hours of battery life, it’s a perfect companion for use all day at the office, and since its hinge is rock solid, anyone wanting to use it in various modes that you get with a 2-in-1 will find it very useful.

Our suggested Acer Chromebook Spin 714 config:

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5. Asus Chromebook Flip C434

Why we picked the Asus Chromebook Flip C434

The Asus Chromebook Flip C434TA-DSM4T is an exciting laptop, providing class-leading performance, and it’s by far the most exciting piece of hardware around. It runs fast enough for the usual OS tasks, it runs a long time on a single charge of the battery, and its sleek metallic design makes it easy to carry around in college and at work. That’s more than we always say about Chromebooks in this price range.

This 2-in-1 laptop ensures that our favorite Chromebook keeps getting better. It’s based on an optimized Intel Core m3 processor, 4GB of memory, 64GB of storage, and a battery that will offer up to nine hours of use on a single charge.

For the money and given its excellent build quality and good battery life, the Asus Flip C434TA-DSM4T is a safe choice that’s unlikely to disappoint.

Our suggested Asus Chromebook Flip C434 config:

See our full Asus Chromebook Flip C434 Review

How to Choose the Best Chromebook for You

Chromebooks are an inexpensive and largely virus-free alternative to Windows and MacOS laptops, which makes them the best option for college students. Most Chromebooks are equipped with low-power processors, have good battery life, and are fanless. That said, don’t expect them to be the most powerful laptops in the world. But you can count on them to handle everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking e-mail, and watching Netflix.

Display Size

Most laptops range in size from 13-17 inches; the smaller ones are meant for lighter work, while the larger ones offer more screen space for heavy-duty work like video editing or intense gaming.

Chromebooks, on the other hand, except for a couple of 16 inches, most of these laptops we’ve reviewed revolve around 14-14 inches. For most people, that’s a sweet spot for lightweight portability while still giving you a clear look at your web browsing or streaming video.

The display size on a Chromebook can influence how easy the keyboard and trackpad are easy to use, which is very important. Interacting with your Chromebook should be as smooth as possible. Size can also determine the number of included ports, which you should pay special attention to.

Processor and RAM

Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system that doesn’t need as much power, but hardware specs still matter. The processor, graphics card, RAM, and storage determine your laptop’s capabilities.

You can get away with 4GB of RAM packed into a Chromebook, but given how RAM-intensive modern web browsing can be, we may not recommend it. A Chromebook with 8GB RAM will be ideal if you tend to open lots of browser tabs, or just want a future-proof laptop.

Last update on 2024-11-21 at 02:06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API