The Best Chromebooks for Every Budget
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Chromebooks aren’t just the realm of budget, low-end devices anymore. Thanks to smart initiatives from Google, Chromebook makers are stepping up their game with more powerful hardware than ever before, while keeping prices lower than Windows and macOS laptop alternatives. Throw in a fresh focus on handy AI features and you have a range of affordable computers that make a strong case for replacing your aging laptop.
ChromeOS still doesn’t compete with Windows and Mac machines for heavy-duty stuff like gaming and video editing, but it isn’t trying to. The beauty of Chromebooks is that they offer a lightweight portal to the things that most people need a computer for, without any extra fluff. If you spend all day in a web browser, work with Google apps, and do some occasional light photo editing, a solid Chromebook could be all you need. WIRED has tested Chromebooks for more than a decade, and we’re always on the lookout for the best ones to spend your hard-earned money on. These are the best Chromebooks we recommend right now.
Be sure to read through our Best Cheap Laptops, Best Laptops, Best 2-in-1 Laptops, and Best MacBooks guides for more options.
Updated October 2024: We've added the Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 and Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus.
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What Does Chromebook Plus Mean?
Almost every Chromebook we recommend below has “Chromebook Plus” in the name. This is an initiative Google launched in late 2023 with its hardware partners to offer a new category of Chromebooks designed for a better, more premium experience. To be deemed a Chromebook Plus, a laptop has to meet or exceed the following hardware requirements:
- CPU: Intel Core i3 12th Gen or above; AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or above
- RAM: 8 GB or more
- Storage: 128 GB or more
- Webcam: 1080p or higher with Temporal Noise Reduction
- Display: Full HD (1080p) IPS or better
The result? A new baseline that guarantees a certain level of performance when you see the Chromebook Plus name. With the rise in remote work, Google is especially focused on ensuring Chromebook Plus laptops offer a better video calling experience with a higher standard for webcams and AI camera tricks. It’s also gradually folding new AI features into ChromeOS that benefit from the added hardware heft.
Regular Chromebooks haven’t disappeared, and you’ll still find super-budget Chromebook models without the “Plus” moniker. Chromebook Plus models start at $399, though you’ll often find them on sale for less. Expect non-Plus Chromebooks focused on more basic needs to continue to hit store shelves in the $250 range.
How Long Do Chromebooks Get Updates?
In 2023, Google announced a new policy that guarantees 10 years of automatic updates for any Chromebooks released in 2021 or later. That’s probably far beyond the usual upgrade cycle for most people, but it ensures secondhand Chromebooks and those used in schools continue to stay secure and get new features for a long time. When a Chromebook gets its final automatic update, ChromeOS will send you a notification to let you know it’s time to throw in the towel.
The 10-year automatic update timer starts from when a Chromebook is first released. You can check when your Chromebook is set to receive its final update at any time in the “Update schedule” section of its settings menu (Settings > About ChromeOS > Additional details > Update schedule). Google also keeps a handy running list of automatic update timelines for every Chromebook model on its support site.
How to Pick the Best Chromebook
Chromebooks can come with a lot of different hardware inside, so it can be hard to figure out exactly what you need. Fortunately, the Chromebook Plus program has made the jumble of specs easier to parse. ChromeOS is also light enough that it doesn’t require incredibly beefy specs to get a good experience. Here are some general tips on what to look out for.
Processor: For the best experience, you should avoid older Chromebooks with Intel Celeron processors. The Chromebook Plus specifications offer a good baseline to guarantee speedy performance, and I’d recommend going with at least an Intel Core i3, Core i5, or AMD Ryzen 3 7000 processor. Just watch out for overspending on configurations with Intel Core i7 processors unless you need the extra horsepower for multitasking Android games, Linux apps, and dozens of Chrome tabs. While Intel and AMD dominate the processor scene, you’ll occasionally find Chromebooks using ARM processors like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 in the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 above. These can be fine for very basic tasks, but they won’t fare as well under sustained, intense loads (at least until something newer comes along).
RAM: Always opt for at least 8 GB of RAM if you can afford it. You won’t find 4 GB of RAM in anything other than basic, super-budget Chromebooks, but it severely limits your ability to multitask. If you want to avoid slowdowns, 8 GB of RAM is the standard you should aim for.
Storage: Unlike a Mac or Windows PC, a lot of your Chromebook work will live on the web. This means you can typically get away with less storage, but I wouldn’t recommend going below 128 GB. If you can afford it, you’ll be much more comfortable with at least 256 GB. You’ll get the best speed out of an NVMe solid state drive, so look out for that on the spec sheet when you’re comparing models.
Screen: The vast majority of Chromebook displays you’ll find will be IPS LCD panels, and that’s just fine. Until OLED displays make more of a dent in the Chromebook space, IPS LCD screens offer the best contrast and color accuracy. If you’re shopping in the extreme budget range, watch out for TN LCD panels, as they’re generally lower quality and offer worse viewing angles. For resolution, a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution should be your standard. You’ll get crisp visuals at 13- and 14-inch screen sizes and it’s passable at 15 inches. Higher resolutions will look even better, but be wary of the battery life tradeoff you’ll see from pushing power to more pixels.
Ports: USB-C ports have become commonplace on the newest Chromebooks, so there’s no longer any excuse to buy one without them. Try to get one that charges over USB-C so you can recharge with a portable power bank when you’re on the go. A microSD card slot can also be beneficial if you want an easy way to expand your storage on the fly. You’ll find that some Chromebooks support Thunderbolt 4 over their USB-C ports as well. While that’s an excellent option to have if you plan to plug your Chromebook into some high-end monitors, it isn’t necessary for most people. Instead, you can get similar external monitor support (and spend a lot less) with an HDMI port or DisplayPort over USB-C support.
Best Overall
As one of the first Chromebook Plus models out of the gate, the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (8/10, WIRED Recommends) had a lot to prove. Fortunately for Lenovo, it lived up to the hype, becoming one of the fastest, most versatile Chromebooks we’ve tested. While it isn’t a looker, its beefier hardware, 2-in-1 design, and $499 price make it a great overall choice for most people.
The 14-inch 1,920 x 1,200-pixel resolution screen is a bit taller than you’ll find on most laptops, which is great for working on documents and browsing the web. The Intel Core i3 processor and flash storage never struggle to keep up, even if you find yourself drowning in dozens of open tabs. The battery life is the only slight weakness here, but it should still get you through a full workday. Just don’t expect to get much farther without pulling out the charger. The port selection is solid as well, with two USB-C ports and one USB-A on board. There's a microSD card slot, too, if you find the 128 GB of flash storage to be a little claustrophobic.
Specs to look for: Intel Core i3, 8 GB of RAM, 128-GB SSD
Best Upgrade
Acer’s Chromebook Spin line has made a name for itself over the years and its latest entry, the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 (9/10, WIRED Recommends), keeps that reputation alive. For $699 (or even $599 if you find it on sale), Acer packs a surprising amount of power into this laptop thanks to its Intel Core Ultra 5 115 processor. It showcased breezy performance in my testing, and the chip’s dedicated AI processing power is a perfect complement to the AI features Google is now sprinkling into ChromeOS.
Aside from its processing power, the base Chromebook Plus Spin 714 comes with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage (a 16 GB RAM model is available at Acer's store). The laptop is packed in a pleasantly premium body with a vibrant 14-inch touchscreen that rotates on a pair of gold-accented hinges. Two Thunderbolt 4-capable USB-C ports, an HDMI port, and one USB-A port give you plenty of connectivity options as well. The one major area where the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is a letdown is sound quality. Simply put, the speakers are awful, which hinders an otherwise great laptop for Netflix and YouTube binges. Plan on pairing this laptop with a good set of earbuds or headphones to get the most out of it.
Specs to look for: Intel Core Ultra 5 115, 8 GB of RAM, 256-GB SSD
Best Thin and Light Chromebook
If you want the thinnest Chromebook out there, Samsung’s latest Galaxy Chromebook Plus can’t be beat (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s an insane 0.47-inch thick and weighs just 2.58 pounds, making it one of the thinnest and lightest laptops available. Despite its portable bona fides, Samsung manages to pack the Galaxy Chromebook Plus full of impressive hardware.
While it’s on the larger side, the 15.6-inch AMOLED display on this laptop is phenomenal and makes everything pop. It's powered by an Intel Core 3 100U processor, 8 GB of RAM, and a 256-GB solid state drive. It’s enough to keep up with ChromeOS, and an impressive number of ports (two USB-C, one USB-A, one HDMI, and one microSD) make it more flexible than you’d expect from such a thin device.
Specs to look for: Intel Core 3 CPU, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
Best Gaming Chromebook
Chromebooks aren’t usually what you’d consider gaming laptops, but they’ve made gains in that segment over the past couple of years with the rise of cloud gaming. The best of the bunch is the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which works perfectly with streaming services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce Now. You can even use the Steam beta for Chromebooks, but I found this was only good for light indie titles.
I love the 516 GE’s large, vibrant 16-inch screen, and it can push some serious frame rates with its 120-Hz refresh rate. The laptop doubles as a solid productivity machine too, thanks to its comfortable keyboard, 8 GB of RAM, and an Intel Core 5 120 U processor that can handle plenty of open tabs and apps. There’s even a dash of RGB for the keyboard backlighting to add some extra gaming flavor, though it’s not as impressive as the RGB lighting you get on dedicated gaming keyboards.
Specs to look for: Intel Core 5 120 U, 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB SSD
Best-Looking Chromebook
Chromebooks don’t tend to be lookers, but Asus breaks that mold with the Chromebook Plus CX34 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s wrapped in a gorgeous white shell that, while plastic, felt durable in my testing. I’ve reviewed plenty of bland, gray Chromebooks, and I found myself reaching for the CX34 more because of its attractive design.
The hardware in the CX34 is typical for a Chromebook Plus, and it felt responsive even when I had my usual complement of more than a dozen tabs and a handful of apps running. Unfortunately, this model doesn’t come with a backlit keyboard, and its 14-inch, 16:9 display feels cramped compared to other Chromebooks I’ve used with taller 16:10 screens. If you can look past those shortcomings though, the CX34 is a solid little workhorse that stands out.
Specs to look for: Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD
Best Battery Life
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 (8/10, WIRED recommends) is one of my favorite new Chromebooks, and it’s easy to see why. The ultra-portable detachable has excellent battery life thanks to its MediaTek Kompanio 838 processor, regularly getting nearly 10 hours on a charge in my testing. It’s also just plain fun to use—since it’s in such a small package, you can easily toss it in a bag and take it anywhere. The display detaches from the keyboard, perfect for when you want to curl up on the couch with the Netflix Android app.
You can get this Lenovo with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of eMMC storage, but I recommend spending a little more to upgrade to 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. A Lenovo stylus comes in the box and can be easily tucked away into a magnetic spot on the back of the display (which looks great, by the way). The whole package feels great to use; just be aware that there are only two USB-C ports and the smaller keyboard and trackpad take some getting used to.
Specs to look for: 8 GB RAM, 128 GB eMMC storage
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Best Budget Chromebook
If you want a snappy laptop but don’t want to spend the extra cheddar on some of our other top picks, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 (8/10, WIRED recommends) will do the job. It’s not stylish, but it keeps the price low by sticking to the basics. Inside is an Intel Core i3-1215U processor, which handles ChromeOS and up to 20 open tabs with ease. Battery life is also good enough to get you through a workday, and it handled 8.5 hours of full-screen video before calling it quits out in our testing. The 15-inch 1,920 x 1,080-pixel screen is nothing to write home about, but it’s crisp and won’t strain your eyes.
There’s no touchscreen, but the two DisplayPort-capable USB-C ports, one HDMI 1.4 jack, and one USB-A port give you plenty of options for hooking up an external monitor.
Specs to look for: Intel Core i3-1215U, 8 GB of RAM, 128-GB flash storage
Another Good 2-in-1 Chromebook
I've had an excellent time using this 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus as my go-to laptop for when I'm traveling. The x360 is fairly nondescript, but it's lightweight, and because of the 2-in-1 design, I can flip the screen into tent mode to watch 3 Body Problem without a keyboard in the way. The speakers sound decent and get surprisingly loud, and the 1,920 X 1,200-pixel resolution is sharp on this 14-inch IPS LCD panel. The touchscreen is a nice option to have when I need to make a quick adjustment, though I wish ChromeOS had slightly larger touch targets. I'm quite happy with the key travel on the keyboard, though I've run into a small issue where the trackpad sometimes doesn't register a press. It didn't happen often enough to pose a serious problem.
The Intel Core i3 inside this machine is snappy; it didn't break a sweat when I was running more than 20 tabs and had it connected to an external monitor. Battery life isn't anything to write home about, but it more or less got me through a full workday, not much more. I wish there was a fingerprint sensor or some kind of biometric authentication so I didn't have to keep typing in a password to unlock this laptop. —Julian Chokkattu
Specs to look for: Intel Core i3-N305, 8 GB of RAM, 128-GB flash storage
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Other Good Chromebooks
Photograph: Daniel Thorp-LancasterHonorable Mentions
Acer Chromebook Plus 514 for $325: As the slightly smaller sibling to the Acer’s Chromebook Plus 515, the Chromebook Plus 514 (8/10, WIRED recommends) offers a similarly great experience for budget-conscious buyers. It’s not the prettiest Chromebook out there, but it speeds through most tasks with its Intel Core i3-N305 processor and 8 GB of RAM. Best of all, you can frequently find it on sale for less than its usual $399 price.
Asus Chromebook CM14 for $167: If you only need the most basic bare-bones Chromebook, the Asus Chromebook CM14 (7/10, WIRED recommends) is a solid contender. It’s firmly in the extreme budget end of the category, and the dull 14-inch display and stifling 64 GB of storage and 4 GB of RAM are anything but fancy. However, the MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor consistently gave me an impressive 10 to 11 hours of battery life, which is great for a laptop that can be had for under $200 when on sale.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 13 Inch for $379: It’s a little on the older side now, but the Chromebook Duet 5 is still a solid pick if you want the detachable form factor of the Chromebook Duet Gen 9, but with a larger screen. Instead of an 11-inch display, you get an excellent 13-inch screen with the Duet 5 with great battery life from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor. Just don’t expect the slightly older hardware to pull miracles with Google’s new AI features and you should be happy with this pretty capable portable companion.
