One of the best Chromebook you should buy in 2025

Whether or not you’re purchasing for a budget-friendly laptop computer for varsity or a modern machine for on a regular basis productiveness, the most effective Chromebooks can supply stunning performance for the worth. Chromebooks have come a great distance from their early days as web-only gadgets. Now, many Chromebook fashions function highly effective processors, premium shows and even touchscreen help, making them a compelling various 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 high of emails, there’s possible a mannequin that matches each your price range and your workflow. We’ve examined the highest Chromebooks available on the market that can assist you discover the appropriate one — whether or not you’re after most worth or top-tier efficiency.

Desk of contents

Finest 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 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 moderen 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 vivid and clear and has the marginally taller 16:10 side ratio that you simply 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 quite area of interest function that isn’t a compelling promoting level.

Design-wise, this can be 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 simple to journey with. The keyboard and trackpad, in the meantime, really feel significantly better than I’d count on on a laptop computer at this value. The backlit keys are giant and have satisfying journey, making it nice to kind 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 aspect 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 digital camera. They’ll actually do in a pinch, and they’re anticipated corners to be lower on a reasonably budget-priced laptop computer – however when you take plenty 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 enjoying again a locally-stored video file, and I acquired slightly below seven hours whereas going by my regular workday (a number of Chrome tabs, a handful of internet and Android apps like Hold, Google Chat, YouTube Music, Lightroom and Todoist). That’s not distinctive, however until you actually must be away from energy for lengthy intervals frequently it needs to be adequate (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. (Should 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 when you’re the form of one that plans to make use of their Chromebook all day, each day, you may need to think about our improve picks.

Execs

Comparatively compact and lightweight
Respectable efficiency and battery life for the worth
Massive storage cap
Stable 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 lower from a really related material as the usual 514 we advocate, however below 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 when you have too many home windows or apps open. Tabs hardly ever must 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 return. There’s simply extra room for this chip to deal with growing 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, nevertheless 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 varied Gemini-powered AI instruments in ChromeOS will run sooner than they do on an Intel machine. Should you’re eager to strive these kinds of options, the Spin 514 is an effective choice.

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 lots for ChromeOS because it depends totally on the cloud. The keyboard, trackpad and touchscreen show are all glorious, and battery life is phenomenal. 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 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 regular 1080p digital camera, however the closing mannequin promoting in Finest 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 appears in observe. That mentioned, the 1080p webcam on the pc I examined had strong coloration steadiness and was lots sharp for my makes use of.

The mannequin I examined is promoting at Finest Purchase for $700, a excessive value that feels honest given the standard of this laptop. Acer additionally plans to promote the Chromebook Plus Spin 514 straight 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 will probably be proud of this mannequin. And whereas this laptop simply got here out, we’ll be maintaining a tally of Finest 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.

Execs

Nice battery life
Wonderful efficiency
Stable 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

Picture 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 simply don’t must 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 players could be taken with attempting 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 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 you could customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a strong and cozy keyboard for enjoying video games or simply typing up experiences. The trackpad is giant and responsive as properly.

The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – fairly mild 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 absolutely dip when you’re doing greater than watching movies or informal internet shopping. Between the highly effective {hardware}, strong design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display screen, anybody who desires a much bigger Chromebook will possible be proud of this mannequin.

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

Execs

Massive, high-resolution display screen with a quick refresh charge
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 will 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), mild (2.75 kilos) and solidly constructed with out being terribly flashy. But it surely feels way 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 joyful to see it in the next decision, however I believe it strikes 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 choice at this level as each keyboards are superb, however I really feel like I can kind sooner and extra precisely on the Lenovo. The trackpad can be much less susceptible to unintentional enter from my palm once 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 easy and fairly giant, 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 varied Chromebooks I’ve examined, with correct coloration 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 dimension. Lenovo says these audio system help Dolby Atmos, and music had extra depth and element when enjoying Atmos tracks from Apple Music. However even with out enjoying Atmos content material, the Lenovo’s audio system merely sounded superb.

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 each day use and may carry out properly for years to return; 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 ordinary utilization throughout my typical workday.

Total, the Lenovo’s Chromebook Plus 14 and Acer’s Chromebook Plus Spin 14 are very related and you’ll’t go improper with both in case you are 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 screen, 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

Finest Chromebooks 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 easy 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 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 facility settings virtually as shortly.

After all, simplicity may even be a serious downside for some customers. Not with the ability to set up native software program is usually a dealbreaker when you’re a video editor or software program developer. However there are additionally loads of individuals who do nearly all of their work in an internet browser, utilizing instruments like Google Docs and spreadsheets for productiveness without having 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 Pictures app on Chromebooks – it gained’t substitute Adobe Premiere, nevertheless it needs 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 ability of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.

Chromebooks can even run Android apps, which enormously expands the quantity of software program accessible. The standard varies extensively, 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 normal enchancment in internet apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.

What do Chromebooks do properly?

Put merely, internet shopping and actually something internet 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, additionally they work properly with Google companies like Pictures, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Hold and so forth. Sure, any laptop that may run Chrome can do 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 when you’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You may get a lot of the similar apps which are in your telephone 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 cell 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 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 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 easy truth that you simply typically can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for dangerous actors to entry the system.

Should you’re taken with Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an effective choice 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 strong perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embody instruments just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Pictures Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you possibly can create by filling in just a few prompts.

As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is straightforward: Should you rely closely on a particular native utility for Home windows or a Mac, chances are high you gained’t discover the very same choice on a ChromeOS system. That’s most true in fields like picture and video modifying, 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 won’t match. Should you’re an iPhone person, you’ll additionally miss out on the way in which the iPhone simply integrates with an iPad or Mac. For me, the large draw back just isn’t with the ability to entry iMessage on a Chromebook.

Lastly, gaming Chromebooks are usually not ubiquitous, though they’re changing 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 larger screens which have increased refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with companies like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Sport Go and Amazon Luna. You’ll clearly want an web connection to make use of these companies, however the excellent news is that enjoying 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 after 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 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 advocate most individuals get in the event that they’re on the lookout for the most effective laptop computer they will use each day.

Chromebook Plus fashions have a minimum of 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 until you’re actually pushing your Chromebook. All Chromebook Plus fashions must have a 1080p webcam, which is good in today of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all must have a minimum of a 1080p FHD IPS display screen.

After all, you will get increased specs or higher screens when you want, however I’ve discovered that mainly every 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 help for a powerful 10 years after their launch date. This help web page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for just about each Chromebook ever, however rule of thumb is to purchase the latest machine you possibly can 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 below $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being basically fashionable netbooks to among the finest laptops you’ll need to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, it is best to count on to spend a minimum of $400 if you’d like a strong every day driver. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks on the market accessible at a low value which may be appropriate as secondary gadgets, however Chromebook that may be an all-day, every-day laptop computer will value extra. However, notably, even the most effective Chromebooks normally value 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 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 generally 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 primary laptop computer that doesn’t break the financial institution. It’s just a few years older than our present high 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. But it surely nonetheless combines a pleasant display screen and keyboard with strong efficiency. This laptop computer sometimes prices $500, which feels excessive given its just a few years previous and Acer’s Chromebook Plus 514 is barely $350, but when you’ll find 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 presently choose it up for less than $159 at Walmart. That value and its giant 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 when you’re doing something greater than shopping with just a few tabs open. Should you’re purchasing for somebody with extraordinarily primary wants and have a small price range, the CX15 may match the invoice. However simply remember that you simply 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 screen 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 strong, although I’m not a fan of the quantity pad because it shifts every thing 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 a giant display screen laptop computer that can be tremendous mild, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the most suitable choice for everybody.

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