The Best Chromebooks of 2024

Chromebooks have come a long way and are now giving Windows PCs and Macs a real run for their money in price, features, and performance. Whether you’re shopping for a work device, school companion, photo editor, or even a lightweight gaming setup, there’s a Chromebook ready to do the job.

What to Look for in a Chromebook

A Chromebook is a laptop or tablet that runs Google’s ChromeOS. Known for being fast, simple, and secure, Chromebooks can even run Android and Linux apps and make great secondary devices. Here’s what to keep in mind when you’re picking one out.

Think about how you’ll use your Chromebook. Will you use it for work, school, streaming music, or browsing the internet? While they’re great for productivity and daily tasks, Chromebooks aren’t designed for heavy, PC-style gaming. If gaming is your main goal, a dedicated gaming laptop might be a better fit.

Battery life is key, especially since Chromebooks are versatile enough for multitasking throughout the day. Many models have excellent battery life, with some running up to 16 hours on a single charge, keeping you powered up wherever you go.

Chromebooks are built with cloud storage in mind, so they don’t need tons of local storage. A 64GB eMMC drive is often enough for casual users. But if you’re a heavy user who prefers local storage, look for models with larger storage options.

RAM affects how smoothly you can multitask. With more RAM, Chromebooks handle more open tabs and apps at once. Most Chromebooks start at 4GB, but some offer up to 16GB, which is great for power users.

Consider screen size and resolution. Larger displays make it easier to keep multiple tabs open and are helpful for tasks like research. Chromebooks today offer screens up to 15.6 inches with resolutions up to 4K, so you can find something that looks great.

Chromebooks are known for being lightweight and compact, making them easy to carry and store. Whether you want a super-portable device or something a bit bigger, there’s a Chromebook that fits your needs.

Of course, budget matters! Whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly option or a high-end model, a there is a Chromebook that will match your price range and priorities. With these tips in mind, you’ll be ready to find the Chromebook that fits your life perfectly.

For most people, the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus will tick several boxes in terms of features, performance, and pricing. That’s why it’s our pick for the best all-around Chromebook.

This 2-in-1 laptop offers a sleek, stylish design and a 14-inch touchscreen with a sharp WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200 pixels with a 16:10 aspect ratio). It’s perfect for both work and streaming your favorite shows. You can even split your screen and cast it onto your TV.

Under the hood, it runs on an Intel Core i3 processor, with speeds ranging from 1.2GHz up to 4.5GHz when you need extra power. With up to 8GB of RAM, it’s built to handle demanding tasks, and it offers 128GB of storage—plenty of room for your files and media.

Its two-tone keyboard backlight is perfect for low-light conditions and its responsive keys offer a smooth typing experience, plus it has a fingerprint scanner. Connectivity is versatile, with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C/USB, and HDMI ports to hook up to just about anything.

Best Chromebook Overall

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

$446 $469 Save $23

If you’re looking for a Chromebook that does the job without stretching your budget, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a fantastic choice. This popular, affordable laptop has all the basics you need to stay productive for up to 16 hours, depending on your usage.

The Slim 3 sports a 14-inch Full HD display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. Its anti-glare properties allow you to view it from multiple angles, although it’s not the brightest screen at 300 nits.

This Chromebook is powered by a quad-core processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, meaning it is not designed for power users, but for basic uses, such as editing documents, and playing media.

It has a front-facing HD camera with a privacy shutter and HD audio, which are handy for online calls and meetings. Connectivity is flexible, with Wi-Fi 6, USB-C, HDMI, and a 3.5mm audio jack, giving you options for a smooth, well-rounded experience.

Best Budget Chromebook

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook

$192 $220 Save $28

While the Acer Aspire 3 is a great budget laptop, it might not be ideal for kids. If you’re looking for a kid-friendly Chromebook, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is an excellent choice for getting children started or growing with technology.

The Duet 3 is super lightweight and easy to handle. Its compact 10.95-inch OLED display is perfect for young users. Despite its small size, it packs a clear and bright 2K resolution (2000 x 1200) at 400 nits, so everything from reading to videos looks sharp.

The screen’s touchscreen capability, along with the included stylus, allows kids to draw, take notes, or interact with learning apps. It also has a detachable keyboard, making it easy to switch between laptop and tablet modes.

With 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, school files and apps have plenty of space. Powered by a fast and efficient Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor, the Duet 3 offers smartphone-like speed and up to 9 hours of battery life, keeping up with kids through a full day of learning and fun.

Best Chromebook for Kids

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

$236 $250 Save $14

Whether you’re a student paying your way or a parent shopping for a student, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a great choice. This affordable, reliable laptop makes learning smooth and enjoyable.

It starts strong with a large 15.6-inch LED touchscreen perfect for multitasking, so you can easily keep multiple tabs open for research. The display offers a crisp 1920 x 1080 resolution, a narrow bezel, and an anti-glare coating, with models that also feature backlit keys for late-night study sessions.

With a 60Hz refresh rate, you can unwind with light gaming after schoolwork, supported by its 8GB of RAM and Intel Core i5 processor. The 4,000mAh battery gives you up to 10 hours of power on optimal settings and charges quickly to keep you going.

For online classes, its 1080p webcam and HD audio deliver clear, immersive video and sound, enhanced by AI tools that improve clarity, lighting, and noise reduction. With 128GB of storage and connectivity options like Bluetooth, USB-C/USB, and HDMI, this Chromebook is fully equipped for student life.

Best Chromebook for Students

Acer Chromebook Plus 515

If you’re after the versatility of a 2-in-1 laptop but want to stick with a Chromebook budget, the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is a fantastic choice. This model gives you high-end 2-in-1 features at a fraction of the cost of most traditional laptops.

The Spin 714 features a 14-inch FHD+ (WUXGA) touchscreen with a crisp 1920 x 1200 resolution, perfect for streaming and productivity. While its brightness is on the lower side at 389 nits, the visuals are still sharp and vibrant.

Powered by a 13th-generation, 10-core Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, this Chromebook can easily handle multitasking, streaming, light video editing, and even casual gaming. If you need more space, there’s also a 2TB storage option.

With backlit keys and extensive connectivity options, including USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, a 3.5mm audio jack, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth, the Spin 714 keeps you connected to all your devices. For those wanting more power, there’s also an upgraded Chromebook Plus Spin 714 model with an Intel Core i7 processor.

Best 2-in-1 Chromebook

Acer Chromebook Spin 714

$539 $750 Save $211

If you need a Chromebook that can keep up all day and then some, the ASUS Chromebook Plus CM34 Flip is an outstanding choice. This model is ideal for remote work or life on the go, delivering an incredible 19+ hours of battery life—three hours more than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3.

But battery life isn’t the only highlight. The CM34 Flip features a 14-inch Full WUGAX display, a spacious and responsive 5.55-inch touchpad, a backlit keyboard for comfortable typing, and 300 nits of brightness. Some models even include a stylus and a fingerprint scanner.

This Chromebook also comes with a year of Google One AI Premium, which includes 2TB of Google cloud storage and advanced Gemini AI tools in Gmail and Docs, plus access to play Minecraft.

Equipped with an optimized AMD Ryzen processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, the ASUS CM34 Flip is designed to power through long days, wherever you are.

Best Chromebook for Battery Life

ASUS Chromebook CM14

FAQ

What is ChromeOS?

ChromeOS is Google’s operating system for Chromebooks and other lightweight computers, similar to how Windows runs on PCs and macOS on MacBooks. Centered around the Chrome browser, it’s designed for web-based apps and cloud storage.

Is ChromeOS Linux-based?

Yes, ChromeOS is a Linux-based operating system. However, Linux is turned off by default on Chromebooks. To turn it on, go to Settings > About ChromeOS > Developers > Set up, and then follow the prompts.

What is the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop?

There are several differences between a Chromebook and a laptop. For instance, Chromebooks run on Google’s ChromeOS while Windows laptops run on Microsoft’s Windows OS and MacBooks run on macOS. Similarly, Chromebooks use web apps and prioritize cloud storage while laptops use desktop applications and have larger local storage, among others.

Can I use Windows applications on a Chromebook?

Yes, you can use Windows apps on a Chromebook, even though ChromeOS doesn’t support them natively. Options include web or Android versions of Windows apps, CrossOver for ChromeOS, Remote Desktop, virtual machines, or Parallels Desktop for ChromeOS Enterprise.