Chromebooks have come a long way over the last few years, as more users have discovered that they make a great lightweight, and affordable alternative to more traditional Windows and MacOS devices. Where the majority of Chromebooks were once cheap ultraportable laptops mainly sold into the education market, they now come in a wide range of form factors and specifications, covering everything from detachable 2-in-1 devices to big-screen desktop replacement models aimed at gamers. What's more, Chromebooks can now do a whole lot more, thanks to the growth of Cloud-based applications for productivity, collaboration, and content creation, and enhanced capabilities for running Android and Linux apps.
However, with so many Chromebooks available from five different brands, selecting the right one for you can be difficult – particularly when so many cheap models come with poor screens, limited processing power, or other gotchas. Do you go for a slim-and-light Chromebook that sacrifices performance for epic battery life, or for one of the latest Chromebook Plus models, with a spec that's ready to get some hard work done? To make things easier, we've rounded up the best Chromebooks we've reviewed and tested, from budget champs to high-end professional options.
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 Pentium and Core i3 CPUs can feel speedy and snappy in everyday use. Core i5 and Core i7 processors, or the equivalent AMD Ryzen CPUs, will give you more scope to run a wider range of Android and Linux apps but aren't a necessity.
However, we would recommend skipping models with a basic 4GB of RAM and looking at Chromebooks with 8GB or more. 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 good audio if you're planning to take part in video chats or meetings.
In the last year, Google has made it easier to select a good Chromebook by starting up a new program – Chromebook Plus. 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. However, some very good Chromebooks were released before the Chromebook Plus initiative started, so don't dismiss a Chromebook automatically just because it doesn't have the Chromebook Plus branding. You can find out more about Chromebook Plus here.
Best Chromebooks 2024
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
With its 15.6-inch screen and spacious keyboard, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a robust and comfortable workhorse that's great for all-day productivity. It's chunky and quite heavy by Chromebook standards, weighing in at 1.68Kg, but the construction feels solid, and Acer claims its padded MIL-STD 810H certification for shock, vibration, and temperature resistance. It almost makes you forget that the lid and casing aren't real aluminium, but plastic with a dark grey metallic finish.
This one's all about the practicality. The 15.6-inch screen goes a smidgeon brighter than some budget Chromebook displays, and color response and image quality are better than on the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34. The audio is surprisingly good, while the 1080p Webcam is more than good enough for video chats and conference calls, especially with the AI enhancements that come bundled in with Chromebook Plus. And with the Intel Core i5 CPU and 8GB of RAM, the Chromebook Plus 515 can go toe-to-toe on performance with Chromebooks costing twice as much, feeling slick and snappy no matter what you're asking it to do. Throw in all-day battery life, and it's one of the best value Chromebooks you can buy.
Read the full Acer Chromebook Plus 515 review for more information
Looking for the Microsoft Surface Pro experience on a significantly smaller budget? You won't do better than the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook. Like the Surface Pro, it's a tablet that transforms into a laptop with the aid of a click-on keyboard, and while it doesn't have the integrated kickstand of Microsoft's device, a magnetic cover with its own kickstand does the job. What's more, the keyboard and cover come bundled with the Duet 5 Chromebook, though you'll still need to pay extra for the Active Stylus pen.
The star of the show here is the 13-inch OLED screen. It might be limited to a 1920 x 1080 resolution, but it's bright with punchy colors and near-perfect contrast, making it a joy to watch video or multi-task with apps. The 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 CPU isn't as speedy as the Intel Core i3 and i5 CPUs in other mid-range Chromebooks, but, thanks to Chrome OS's lightweight requirements, the Duet 5 still feels reasonably snappy in everyday use. Meanwhile, battery life is outstanding, lasting over 16 hours in our looping video test. Nearly two years old, this versatile Chromebook is due for an upgrade, but even as it is it's still one of the best around.
Read the full Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook review for more information
The Acer Chromebook Vero 514 is partly sold on its green credentials. It uses post-consumer recycled plastics for 30% of the materials in its chassis, rising to 50% for the keyboard and speakers. The OceanGlass trackpad is actually made from recycled plastics, and even the packaging is 90% recycled cardboard. Tested to MIL-STD-810H, it's also built to survive fairly harsh conditions – so it should handle life in the office or home. At 1.4Kg in weight and 21mm thick it's a little chunky for a 14-inch laptop, but when it includes an excellent backlit keyboard and an equally superb touchpad, the ergonomics are spot on.
You can find the Vero 514 with a choice of 12th-generation Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 processors, along with 8GB of RAM and a 128GB or 256GB SSD. Even the Core i3 version we tested felt speedy and efficient while browsing with a dozen or so Chrome tabs open or running Web-based productivity apps. Battery life is also fantastic, lasting over 12 and a half hours in our looping video playback tests. It's hard to fault on connectivity, with two USB Type-C ports, one Type-A, and an HDMI video output, plus Wi-Fi 6E for your network and Internet needs. That leaves the display as the only disappointment; it's usable, but the colors are dull and it's only bright enough for indoor use. If you can live with that, it's a brilliant Chromebook for business.
Read our full Acer Chromebook Vero 514 review for more information
The Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip was originally pitched as a gaming Chromebook, but it's equally good for business or as a general-purpose Chromebook for use around the home. For a start, it's e versatile laptop, with a fast spec and 14-inch, 16:10 screen embedded in a 2-in-1 convertible form factor. You can use it in clamshell laptop or touch-friendly tablet formats or folded over in a tent mode that's perfect for watching video – and Asus even includes a USI stylus for sketching and taking notes. The keyboard is fantastic, with a light action and large, flat-topped keys, while the touchpad is wider than usual and ideal for navigating complex apps.
With its 1920 x 1200 resolution, the 14-inch screen has enough space to work across multiple browser windows or productivity tools, and its 425cd/m2 brightness levels and 95% SRGB/72% DCI-P3 gamut coverage ensure that image quality is substantially better than what you'll get from cheaper Chromebooks. Meanwhile, the Core i5-1235U and 8GB of RAM make for excellent performance, giving you enough power to handle Linux and Android apps on top of Web-based apps. If you don't like the styling, Asus also makes a more conservative Core i3 variant, the Chromebook CX34 Flip, along with the AMD-based CM34 Flip. However, it's worth splashing out on this more glamorous unit, just to get the faster CPU and brighter screen.
Read the full Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip review for more information
Acer's Chromebook Spin 714 is currently the best business Chromebook out there, packaging a great spec inside an aluminum shell that's tough but weighs just 1.37Kg. The 360-degree hinge enables it to work in clamshell, tent, and tablet modes, and Acer includes a garaged USI stylus with 4,096 pressure levels and tilt sensitivity, giving you the tools to go beyond basic annotations and doodles when it comes to sketching or image-editing.
The 14-inch, 1920 x 1200 resolution display covers 93.6% of the sRGB color gamut and 71% of DCI-P3, and with excellent color accuracy, it can handle anything from office work to video editing. Throw in clear sound and a sharp 1080p webcam, and you're well-equipped for video calls and meetings, too. Best of all, you get a choice of 13th-generation Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 CPUs, with the Core i5 and i7 models delivering some of the highest speeds we've seen from any Chromebooks. Even the battery life – over 13 hours in our looping video test – is stellar, and the prices are far from exorbitant as well.
Read the full Acer Chromebook Spin 714 review for more information
