The perfect Chromebook you should purchase in 2025

Whether or not you’re searching for a budget-friendly laptop computer for college or a smooth machine for on a regular basis productiveness, the most effective Chromebooks can provide shocking performance for the worth. Chromebooks have come a great distance from their early days as web-only units. Now, many Chromebook fashions characteristic highly effective processors, premium shows and even touchscreen assist, 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 exchange your each day driver. Whether or not you are after a brand new Chromebook for streaming, work or staying on prime of emails, there’s probably a mannequin that matches each your finances 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

Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Display dimension: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,920 x 1,080 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.15 lbs | Accessible ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, HDMI port | Drive capability: 128GB | Battery life: As much as 11 hours

When Google first launched the Chromebook Plus line virtually a yr in the past, fashions with that designation began at $400 — however since, issues have gotten inexpensive. 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 dwelling about, however you’re getting numerous worth for a laptop computer priced at $380. It additionally contains the aforementioned AI options and a yr’s price of the $20/month Google One AI Premium plan, which features a beneficiant 2TB of cloud storage to your pictures, 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 mild (3.15 kilos), however these specs are completely affordable 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 okay, 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 ok for a laptop computer at this worth.

Total, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a strong choice if value is your principal concern — however it’s additionally price noting that the Lenovo mannequin we picked as the most effective general Chromebook is commonly on sale, generally for beneath $400 as nicely. In that case, the worth distinction between the 2 laptops is shut sufficient that it’s price 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.

Professionals

• Cheap
• Efficiency, specs and constructed high quality are all good for this worth
• Strong show and webcam

Cons

• 1080p show generally feels cramped

$344 at Amazon

Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Display dimension: 14 inches | Display decision: 1,980 x 1,200 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.02 lbs | Accessible ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C / Thunderbolt, HDMI, Headphone jack | Drive capability: 256GB | Battery life: 7.5 hours as examined

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 has lengthy been top-of-the-line premium Chromebook choices on the market, and the newest mannequin launched this spring is not any exception. The Chromebook Plus Spin 714 contains 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 facet ratio than you’ll get from the 1080p panels on most laptops. I’m a giant 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 snug and top quality display. It’s additionally somewhat bit brighter than the display on the Lenovo (340 nits vs. 300).

One noteworthy characteristic 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 digital camera that doesn’t cut back you to a blurry spot is certainly appreciated. It’s a much better digital camera than the one on our prime 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 usually 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 desires to make use of a 3-plus pound pill, however it’s there in case 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 onerous 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 subsequent mannequin.

The newest Spin 714 prices $700 – not an unreasonable worth for a pc with these specs and constructed high quality. For those who’re a severe 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 way of June of 2034), the Acer Spin 714 is straightforward to suggest.

Professionals

• Nice display
• Clear webcam
• Loads of energy and space for storing
• Snug keyboard and trackpad

Cons

• Just a little expensive
• Mediocre battery life

$699 at Best Buy

Picture by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Display dimension: 16 inches | Display decision: 2,560 x 1,600 | Put in reminiscence: 8GB | Weight: 3.75 lbs | Accessible ports: 1 x USB-A 3.2, 2 x USB-C 3.2, HDMI, Headphone jack, Ethernet | Drive capability: 256GB | Battery life: 9 hours (producer estimate)

Acer first launched the Chromebook 516 GE within the fall of 2022 as a part of Google’s push to make units appropriate for cloud gaming and simply up to date it for 2024. The excellent news is that you just don’t should 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 price. 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 one more reason players may be all for 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 contains 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 you can customise, however extra importantly, it’s only a strong and comfy keyboard for enjoying video games or simply typing up stories. The trackpad is massive and responsive as nicely.

The 516 GE weighs 3.8 kilos – fairly mild 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 in case you’re doing greater than watching movies or informal internet looking. Between the highly effective {hardware}, strong design, good trackpad and keyboard and nice display, anybody who desires an even bigger Chromebook will probably be proud of this mannequin. As for assist, Google says the Plus 516 GE will obtain updates till June of 2032.

Professionals

• Giant, high-resolution display with a quick refresh price
• Loads of ports
• Core 5 chip gives loads of energy
• Giant and spacious keyboard
• Comparatively light-weight for a big-screen laptop computer

Cons

• Not everybody will respect the gamer aesthetic

$649 at Best Buy

Finest Chromebooks FAQs

What’s Chrome OS, and why would I exploit 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 a giant promoting level. Chrome OS is predicated on Google’s Chrome browser, which implies many of the packages you’ll be able to run are internet based mostly. There’s no bloatware or undesirable apps to uninstall such as you usually get on Home windows laptops, it boots up in seconds, and you’ll utterly reset to manufacturing unit settings virtually as rapidly.

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 in case 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 online browser, utilizing instruments like Google Docs and spreadsheets for productiveness while not 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 editing tools to the Google Images app on Chromebooks – it received’t exchange Adobe Premiere, however it ought to be helpful for lots of people. Equally, Google and Adobe introduced Photoshop on the web final yr, one thing that brings a lot of the ability of Adobe’s desktop apps to Chromebooks.

Chromebooks may run Android apps, which significantly expands the quantity of software program accessible. The standard varies extensively, however it means you are able to do extra with a Chromebook past simply web-based apps. For instance, you’ll be able to 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 basic enchancment in internet apps, Chromebooks are extra than simply portals to a browser.

What do Chromebooks do nicely?

Put merely, internet looking and actually something internet based mostly. On-line buying, streaming music and video and utilizing numerous social media websites are among the many commonest each day duties folks do on Chromebooks. As you may count on, in addition they work nicely with Google companies like Images, Docs, Gmail, Drive, Hold 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 in case you’re an Android person you’ll discover some good ties between the platforms. You may get many of the identical apps which might be in your telephone on a Chromebook and maintain data in sync between them. You can too use some Android telephones as a safety key to your Chromebook or immediately tether your 2-in-1 laptop to make use of cell knowledge.

Google continues to tout safety as a significant differentiator for Chromebooks, and it’s positively an element price contemplating. Auto-updates are the primary traces of protection: Chrome OS updates obtain rapidly 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 referred to as Verified Boot that runs each time a tool begins up. Past all this, the straightforward truth that you just usually can’t set up conventional apps on a Chromebook means there are fewer methods for unhealthy actors to entry the system.

For those who’re all for Google’s Gemini AI instruments, a Chromebook is an effective choice as nicely. Each Chromebook in our prime picks comes with a full yr of the Google One AI Premium plan — this combines the same old 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 Gmail, Google Docs and different apps, Gemini Superior (which runs on the 1.5 Professional mannequin) and extra. Provided that this plan is $20/month, it’s a reasonably strong perk. Chromebook Plus fashions additionally embrace instruments just like the AI-powered “assist me write,” the Google Images Magic Editor and generative AI backgrounds you’ll be able to create by filling in a number of prompts.

As for when to keep away from Chromebooks, the reply is straightforward: For those who rely closely on a particular native software for Home windows or a Mac, chances are high you received’t discover the very same choice on a ChromeOS machine. That’s most true in fields like photograph and video modifying, however it can 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 may not match. For those who’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 massive draw back is just not having 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 greater refresh charges in addition to optimizing these laptops to work with companies like NVIDIA GeForce Now, Xbox Sport Move 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 inconceivable. You can too set up Android video games from the Google Play Retailer, however that’s not what most individuals are considering of after they wish to sport on a laptop computer.

What are crucial specs for a Chromebook?

Chrome OS is light-weight and runs nicely on pretty modest {hardware}, so crucial factor to search for may not be processor energy or space for storing. However Google made it simpler to get constant specs and efficiency late final yr 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 suggest most individuals get in the event that they’re on the lookout for the best laptop they’ll use each day.

Chromebook Plus fashions have no less than a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i3 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 3 7000 collection processor, each of which ought 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 should have a 1080p webcam, which is good in lately of fixed video calling, they usually additionally all should have no less than a 1080p FHD IPS display.

In fact, you will get greater specs or higher screens in case you want, however I’ve discovered that mainly every little thing 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 price checking before you purchase. Final yr, Google introduced that Chromebooks would get software program updates and assist for a powerful 10 years after their launch date. This support page lists the Auto Replace expiration date for nearly each Chromebook ever, however a great rule of thumb is to purchase the latest machine you’ll be able to to maximise your assist.

How a lot ought to I spend on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks began out notoriously low cost, with record costs usually coming in beneath $300. However as they’ve gone extra mainstream, they’ve transitioned from being basically fashionable netbooks to a few of the greatest laptops you’ll wish to use all day. As such, costs have elevated: At this level, you must count on to spend no less than $400 if you’d like a strong each day driver. There are nonetheless many Chromebooks on the market accessible at a low worth which may be appropriate as secondary units, however a great 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 best Windows laptops, and even the most effective “common” laptops on the market.

There are many premium Chromebooks that strategy and even exceed $1,000 that declare to supply higher efficiency and extra processing energy, however I don’t suggest 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. In fact, you additionally generally pay for the model title. However, the specs I outlined earlier are normally sufficient.

See Additionally:

Different Chromebooks we examined

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus

Samsung’s new Galaxy Chromebook Plus is likely one of the extra distinctive Chromebooks on the market. It’s extraordinarily skinny and lightweight, at 0.46 inches and a couple 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 brilliant, however its 16:9 facet 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 little thing to the left. At $700 it’s not low cost, however that feels truthful contemplating its dimension and capabilities. For those who’re on the lookout for a giant display laptop computer that can also be tremendous mild, this Chromebook deserves consideration, even when it’s not the most suitable choice for everybody.