Best Chromebooks

Chromebooks are now well established as a serious alternative to the more traditional Windows and macOS devices. They've evolved from being low-cost laptops aimed at the education sector, and now come in a wide range of different forms at a range of different price points, covering everything from detachable 2-in-1 devices to big-screen desktop replacement models. What's more, the arrival of Chromebook Plus models with integrated Gemini AI features has only added to the Chromebook's talents. While they're not the top choice for professional creative work, they're perfectly capable of handling productivity, coding, and other business workloads.

The Chromebook market isn't quite as competitive as it was three or four years ago, but there are still five brands out there with several different models, and still big differences between the cheapest Chromebooks with their poor screens, dodgy keyboards and limited processing power, and the more expensive options with their enhanced performance and battery life. To help steer you away from the worst and towards the best, we've rounded up the top Chromebooks we've reviewed and tested, from budget champs to high-end, enterprise-grade models.

What to look for in a Chromebook

Up to a point, buying a Chromebook is like buying any laptop. You need to set your priorities in terms of size, portability, and performance, then work out how to get the best balance of specs and features for your budget. The best advice is to decide on a screen size and form factor first. If you're looking for a Chromebook you can carry around all day, then it makes sense to look at 13.3in and 14in models. If your priority is everyday usability, and the Chromebook will be mostly used in the office or the home, then you might want to think about 15.6in and even 16in models.

Once you've made that decision, you're basically looking for the best screen, connectivity, battery life, and performance that you can get for your money. For the screen, go for a minimum 1920 x 1080 resolution, or higher if that's an option. Higher brightness levels and better color capabilities are also worth paying extra for. For instance, if a screen has a brightness above 300cd/m2 and can display 90% or more of the sRGB color gamut, then you're going to have a clearer and more vibrant image and the ability to show a wider range of colors. Processing power is important, but Chrome OS is easier on basic specifications than Windows; even relatively low-performance Chromebooks based on Intel Core 3 CPUs can feel speedy and snappy in everyday use. Meanwhile, Intel Core 5 and Core 7 processors, or the equivalent AMD Ryzen CPUs, will give you more scope for complex multitasking or to run a wider range of Android and Linux apps.

We'd recommend skipping models with a basic 4GB of RAM and looking at Chromebooks with 8GB or more, and 16GB could be a wise investment for more advanced use cases. You'll be able to have more Windows and Chrome browser tabs open without slowing things down, and the whole experience will be smoother, long into the future. Weight, materials, and ergonomics should always factor into your choice – a bad keyboard might sound like something you can live with, but it will impact usability throughout your Chromebook's lifespan. It's also worth looking for a high-quality 1080p webcam and matching audio to make sure you look good in video chats and meetings.

In 2023, Google made it easier to select a good Chromebook with its Chromebook Plus initiative. Chromebook Plus models have to meet a minimum specification, with a 1080p screen, a Core i3 or equivalent processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB or more of storage, and this almost guarantees a decent level of usability and performance. What's more, Chromebook Plus models come with integrated AI features and a year's subscription to a Google AI Pro plan. These days, we wouldn't recommend a non-Plus Chromebook, as all the better models have been upgraded and rebranded to meet the requirements.

Best Chromebooks 2025

Samsung brought its A game to its first Chromebook Plus, packing Intel's recent Core 3 and Core 5 processors inside a gorgeous lightweight aluminium body just 1.17Kg in weight. What makes this all the more impressive is its 15.6in AMOLED display. It might be limited to a 1080p Full HD resolution, but it's exceptionally vibrant with high levels of contrast and superb color handling. It covers 98.5% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, with maximum brightness levels of 393.9cd/M2.

Samsung hasn't neglected the practicalities, either. You still get two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports and a single USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, along with an HDMI output, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3. The large touchpad is a good match for the screen, while the keyboard has a speedy, tactile feel and Google's new Quick Insert key, putting many of the new Gemini AI features at your fingertips. The nearly 12 hour battery life is solid, and it's one of the fastest Chromebooks that we've tested. There's still some room for improvement with a second-generation model, but if you're looking for the best value overall business Chromebook, this is the one to buy.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus review for more information

For under £400 – and frequently much less – the Chromebook Plus CX34 is fantastic value. With a Core i3 CPU, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM, it meets all the requirements of Google's Chromebook Plus specification, and consistently gives you good enough performance for everyday browsing and productivity apps while making barely any noise. It looks surprisingly good for the money and has a decent backlit keyboard with a 1.4mm of travel and a likable 'clack' as you type. Connectivity is also better than you might expect, with two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports, a 3.5mm audio port, and an HDMI 1.4 output. With Wi-Fi 6E, you're even kitted out for high-speed wireless networks.

Needless to say, there are some signs of cost-cutting. The body doesn't feel as premium as it looks, the trackpad feels stiff and too hard to click, and the battery life is merely average, with the CX34 running out of power after just over seven hours in our usual video looping test. Most seriously, the screen is on the dull side, and its color reproduction is distinctly below average. Still, when you're getting all the perks of Chromebook Plus at this price, including Offline File Sync, it's hard to grumble. You won't find a better low-budget Chromebook.

Read the full Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review for more information

The best budget Chromebook for business has been refreshed for 2025. With a choice of Intel Core 3, Core 5, and Core 7 Raptor Lake CPUs it's now significantly faster than the AMD Ryzen 3-powered original, and even the Core 3 100U model delivers nippy performance in the Chrome browser, Android apps, and Google Workspace apps. The screen is brighter than on the 2023 model, reaching a maximum brightness of 321cd/m2. With its 14in size and 1920 x 1200 resolution, it's fine for productivity tasks even if it lacks the sRGB gamut coverage and colour accuracy for more creative work. Battery life is better too, with nearly twelve hours of life from a single charge.

It's not all good news. The design is actually less distinctive and more generic than before, though the build quality is solid, and the sound gets harsh at higher volume levels. The base level model comes with a slower UFS 3.1 flash drive rather than an NVMe SSD. However, it's a thoroughly usable budget Chromebook, with a smooth and responsive touchpad, a spacious, slightly clicky keyboard and ample connectivity built-in. The USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports now support 10Gbits/sec transfer speeds, while you now get Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 depending on your spec. It's not quite in the same league as the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, but it's a compact Chromebook that should sit easily within most budgets.

Read the full Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review for more information

In some respects, the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 isn't quite as good as the Chromebook Plus 515 that preceded it. True, it has a bigger screen, but the display still falls behind the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus's OLED panel when it comes to brightness and colour, while the 1920 x 1200 resolution starts to look a little pixelated at a 16in size. And where the Chromebook Plus 515 punched above its weight on performance, the base model Chromebook Plus 516 with the Intel Core 3 100U is more competent than outstanding. We'd recommend upgrading to the Core 5 120U and Core 7 150U versions. Finally, Acer has dulled down the design, resulting in a more generic-looking, chunky Chromebook.

On the plus side, this is still a very affordable option. Usability is great, with a good full-sized keyboard, complete with numeric pad and Quick Insert key. The connections now include USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports and integrated Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, and the 1080p webcam and built-in audio are a sizable step-up from the budget Chromebook norm. Opting for the bigger screen means losing out on battery life, but as a workhorse for mostly desk-based employees, the Chromebook Plus 516 scores high on value.

Read the full Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review for more information

The ExpertBook CX54 is an expensive Chromebook, but Asus makes the investment worth your while. It's one of the most stylish premium options, with an all-aluminium shell in a distinctive silver finish and a robust but elegant construction. The backlit keyboard and large touchpad make for a very comfortable user experience, while with USB 4/Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 and HDMI 2.1 ports, it's one of the best-connected Chromebooks around. The 14in display reaches brightness levels of 532cd/m2, and its 2560 x 1600 resolution display is incredibly sharp, with rich and vivid colours.

Just as importantly, the ExpertBook CX54 is fast. With an Intel Core Ultra 7 155U processor and 16GB of RAM, it excels in demanding multi-threaded workloads and beats most competitors on 3D performance, thanks to the integrated ARC GPU. And while most Gemini AI capabilities are based on cloud-based rather than local processing power, the Core Ultra 7 155U has a built-in NPU to accelerate any new AI features that roll out. Battery life could be better - ten hours and 39 minutes is good, but not exactly stellar – but that doesn't prevent the CX54 from being crowned as the best high-performance Chromebook money can buy.

Read the full Asus ExpertBook CX54 review for more information