The best Chromebooks

The best Chromebooks are a somewhat new addition to the laptop conversation but they are a wise choice for anyone looking for a new device or one solely for work.

Why is that? The best chromebooks can hold a charge that will last you through the day with their excellent battery life, and are very capable of multitasking, even if it may not seem like it with the lightweight components most come with. And they’re getting more powerful every year, growing by leaps and bounds over previous generations.

Why go with one of the best Chromebooks instead of another laptop? It really depends on what your computing needs are and you’ll want to spend some time learning more about what a Chromebook is to see if it's right for you. The short version, though, is that the best Chromebooks are cheaper, lighter, and are much less susceptible to malicious attacks compared to Windows 10 devices. They can handle most tasks, whether they’re productivity-, creativity- or even entertainment-related, as long as they’re not processor-heavy.

This means that if you spend most of your time writing up documents and emails, bringing some streaming shows and doing some mobile gaming (think Plants vs Zombies), not to mention rudimentary photo and video editing, you’ll want to check out one of the best Chromebooks listed below. And with Black Friday deals around the corner, these affordable devices will be even lighter on your pocketbook.

Google continues its tradition of making the best Chromebooks in the world. While its older Pixelbook used to occupy the top spot in our best Chromebooks list, it's been replaced by Google's latest Chromebook: the Pixelbook Go. This is a Chromebook that proves that these devices can be just as stylish and powerful as traditional laptops, and the Pixelbook Go brings a lot of the original Pixelbook's premium features to a more affordable device. It also features a fantastic battery life and a brilliant keyboard that makes typing on a pleasure.

Before Google rolled out the Pixelbook, and showed us exactly what the best Chromebooks should be, the Asus Chromebook Flip was the Google laptop a lot of Google laptops aspired to be. With a full Intel Core processor and a full-HD display, the Asus Chromebook Flip was certainly a game-changer. These days, in the shadow of Google Pixelbook, the Asus Chromebook Flip is the best Chromebook for you if you want the Pixelbook’s key features, but cannot afford its steep price. If you're on a budget, this is one of the best Asus laptops to consider.

When the best Chromebooks finally supported Android apps, it was only a matter of time before Samsung threw its hat into the ring. The manufacturer designed a Chromebook that’s as stunning as it is powerful. With a 12.3-inch QHD touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge, the Samsung Chromebook Pro also has a built-in stylus – the first of its kind to show up in a Chromebook. This laptop gives many of its rivals, including most Android devices, a run for their money, even if its keyboard could use a bit of tightening up. 

Education is one of the first things that comes to mind when you think of Chromebooks. But with its Chromebook Spin 13, Acer wants its Chromebooks to also be synonymous with business. Beautifully built from aluminum with a gorgeous QHD screen, it fits perfectly in any office setting, and will draw admiring looks at a cafe. It’s more than just its attractive chassis, however: the Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is packed with full-fat Ultrabook processors, so you can get work done – whether it’s at school or in the office – in style.

The best Chromebooks are generally affordable devices so that they are accessible to anyone, no matter their budget. The Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 perfectly fits this bill, even if isn’t the most powerful Chromebook on the market. This device is everything every Chromebook needs to be: affordable, easy to use and durable. And, it’s rugged too. The Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 is great for doing all your web browsing, paper writing and show binging needs. Plus, it may just be one of the best laptops for kids, as it won’t break from a single drop.

The best Chromebooks make the most compelling student laptops, and that’s exactly where the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 excels. Whether you’re a student or a parent of one, this is a cheap, capable and durable laptop that will let you get some schoolwork done while commuting or traveling. You might not get any hardcore gaming or proper video editing done on it. However, if you only need to write up some papers and stream videos or shows in your downtime, then the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 should be at the top of your list.

With a solid build quality that rivals a MacBook, it’s easy to excuse the Acer Chromebook 15’s aversion to 2-in-1 form factors. Still, given that the best Chromebooks rolling out this year are fully convertible, thanks to the wide adoption of Android app support, the Acer Chromebook 15 had to prove itself with more than great style. Beyond its aptitude for laying flat using a 180-degree hinge, this beautiful 15-inch Chromebook also makes a great impression with its battery life, lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test.

We wouldn’t be surprised to see Acer replacing the Chromebook R11 someday soon – at least, judging by the release of the Chromebook Spin 11, and owing to the fact that it isn’t the most powerful choice out there. Yet it still holds up to this day as among the best Chromebooks on the market, giving you full access to Android Apps on the Google Play store. What’s more, it does so on a touchscreen display that can be rotated around into tablet mode, fitted in an all-metal finish that you would be proud to show off. 

The best Chromebooks balance a bargain price and efficient use of Chrome OS – and the HP Chromebook 14 is the perfect example of that. While it’s similar to the Acer Chromebook 15 in a lot of ways, this 14-inch Chromebook is a tad more compact and looks slightly better. Complemented by a bright blue finish and a screen made to astound, the HP Chromebook 14 offers the best value of any Chromebook out there. Even if the battery life and performance are average – the HP Chromebook 14 is easily one of the best Chromebooks.

We can easily forgive the Acer Chromebook Spin 15’s shortcomings – namely, its subpar trackpad and the fact that doesn’t take full advantage of the space it has – as it more than makes up for them with enough power for formidable multitasking, a battery life that will outlast yours and a beautiful touch display that’s surprisingly premium for the price. All those certainly warrant this Chromebook a spot in our best Chromebooks list, and that’s without even factoring in its affordability. If you’re not convinced that you should jump on the Chromebook bandwagon, this one will make a convert out of you.