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Home / Features / Best Chromebook 2024: Chrome OS laptops for work, learning and more

Best Chromebook 2024: Chrome OS laptops for work, learning and more

Looking for a lightweight, affordable laptop that nails the basics? The best Chromebooks could be for you – and we've tested them all.

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If you’re considering swapping your Windows or Mac laptop for a Chromebook, it’s because you like the idea of a machine that’s more affordable, and lightweight. But with so many to choose from, at a range of different prices, which is the best Chromebook for you? Don’t worry – we’ve tested hundreds of the best budget laptops on sale, and have you covered with this extensive list.

Running on Google’s Chrome OS, Chromebooks are heavily dependent on the cloud. In other words, a lot of your most-used apps, like Google docs for word processing, will run online. Documents and photos, too, with primarily be stored online in your Google Drive account. There are advantages and disadvantages to this of course, but you can set things up so that things are available offline too, and the focus on the cloud means that hardware like processors and RAM don’t need to be as powerful. In other words, while there are some exceptions, Chromebooks tend to be cheaper and more nimble.

With the ability to run Android apps, there’s plenty of opportunity for work and play too, with lightweight gaming an option as well. As long as you’re not expecting the same full-fat PC gaming experience (or a video-rendering powerhouse), a Chromebook could be the ideal choice for someone looking for a simple, fast, and cheaper machine, for standard PC tasks. That said, the new Chromebook Plus program promises more PC-like specs and higher-quality displays for not a lot more cash than a typical Chromebook model.

There are, of course, plenty of options out there. Too many, in fact. Narrowing down the best ones can be a tricky process, so we’ve decided to do the legwork for you. Below, you’ll find a range of the best Chromebooks across various budgets from different brands, and we’re sure one of them will fit the bill perfectly for your needs.

If you’re looking for something a little more powerful? Check out Stuff’s guide to the best premium laptop.


What’s the best Chromebook?

We think the Google Pixelbook Go (buy now) is the best Chromebook for most people. It’s the only Chromebook that comes from Google itself, so if you’re looking for the purist Chromebook experience, this is it. We love its premium build quality and how satisfying the keyboard is to type on, while the lightweight magnesium chassis means it tips the scales at just 1kg.

Other best Chromebook recommendations

Before we jump into the full list of the best Chromebooks, here’s a quick peek at our three top picks:

<strong>Best budget Chromebook</strong>

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 (buy now) is the second-cheapest pick on our list, blending portability, affordability, and just enough power to suit casual users’ needs. And all without blowing a mighty hole in your bank account.

<strong>Best Chromebook for purists</strong>

The Google Pixelbook Go (buy now) if you’re a Google fan and want the Apple-like experience of owning a machine where the hardware and software has been designed by the same company. For that, Google’s own Pixelbook Go is the best choice. Its superb keyboard and battery life don’t hurt either.

<strong>Best premium Chromebook</strong>

The Asus CX9 (buy now) is pricey, but can match even high-end Windows laptops for raw specs and power. With a Full HD touchscreen, Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, it’s up there with the most powerful Chromebooks ever made.


The best Chromebooks you can buy today:

1. Google Pixelbook Go

Stuff Verdict

If you want a light and stylish laptop and spend most of your time in the cloud, it’s for you.

Pros

  • 10 hour+ battery
  • Lovely, lightweight design
  • Silent keyboard
  • Excellent webcam

Cons

  • Not the best specs
  • There are cheaper alternatives
Google Pixelbook Go specs
Processor8th Gen Intel Core m3, i5, or i7
RAM8GB / 16GB of RAM
Storage64GB / 128GB / 256GB SSD
Weight1.3KG
Thickness0.5in
Display3.3in, 16:9 touchscreen; HD (1920 x 1080) or 4K (3840 x 2160)
Battery11-12 hours

The Pixelbook Go gets a lot right – stunning design, long-lasting battery and portability factor.

It does just boil down to what is a luxurious Chromebook with a touchscreen and an in-built assistant – and we’d recommend this to anyone who travels a lot and uses Google’s suite of apps. The webcam is another plus for those who have a lot of web meetings.

If you’re usually in browser mode and use cloud-based apps for work, then the Pixelbook Go is the ideal companion.


2. Acer Chromebook Spin 311

Stuff Verdict

If you want a compact Chromebook, the Spin 311 is for you, thanks to its 11.6in display. Not only small, but the display is also a touchscreen that spins through 360 degrees

Pros

  • Compact design
  • High build quality
  • 360-degree touchscreen

Cons

  • Screen could be too small for some
  • Limited storage
Acer Chromebook Spin 311
ProcessorAMD A4-9120C, dual-core 1.60GHz
RAM4GB
Storage32GB
Weight1.5kg
Thickness0.92in
Display11.6in, IPS
Battery15 hours (claimed)

Acer’s Chromebook Spin 311 is one of the cheapest laptops out there, making it an ideal choice for those on a very tight budget. While obviously not the most spec-rammed machine on our list (it’s got a MediaTek 8183 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage), it’s hard to argue with its tempting price tag.

If your needs are basic (read: word processing, simple apps, browsing and emailing), then this little 11.6in machine could be the perfect wallet-friendly solution. It’s unlikely to handle the latest AAA Android games, mind, but if you know what you’re after, it’s definitely in the running for bargain of the year.


3. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5

Stuff Verdict

Thanks to its OLED display, good performance and incredible battery life, this is a high-spec Chromebook that even doubles as a tablet

Pros

  • Great battery life
  • OLED display

Cons

  • Compromised as a tablet
  • Stylus not included
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 specs
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2, 2.55GHz
RAM8GB
Storage128GB
Weight1.02kg
Thickness0.28in
Display13.3in, OLED touchscreen
BatteryUp to 15 hours (claimed)

Lenovo’s 2-in-1 option is a superb mid-range Chromebook with a detachable keyboard for converting it to a tablet in an instant. A compact 13.3in screen still offers plenty of room for touchscreen shenanigans, and its Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor and 8GB of RAM combo should comfortably handle any task you throw at it.

While it might not have quite the same raw punch as, say, an Intel-powered Chromebook, its power-sipping chip makes for an incredibly impressive battery life, with up to 15 hours of use available per charge.


4. Acer Chromebook 314

Stuff Verdict

We’re big fans of this low-price Chromebook, thanks to its large screen, thin chassis and great battery life

Pros

  • Good battery life
  • Light and thin design

Cons

  • Limited storage
  • Not suitable for intensive tasks
Acer Chromebook 314 specs
ProcessorIntel Celeron N4000, 1.1Ghz, dual-core
RAM4GB
Storage32GB
Weight1.7kg
Thickness0.78in
Display14in, LED
BatteryUp to 12 hours (claimed)

Acer’s Chromebook 314 is even cheaper than the company’s own Spin 311, and you’re unlikely to find another laptop from a known manufacturer cheaper than this without scouring auction sites. Naturally, it’s got the power of a sewing machine engine compared to the V8-like alternatives of more expensive Chromebooks on this list. But if you’re really after the most basic of tasks like emailing and browsing, its lightweight processor, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage should be enough — especially as you can rely on the cloud for most of your needs.


5. Asus Chromebook CX9

Stuff Verdict

Excellent performance – for a Chromebook – plus great battery life and a very thin body puts this Asus among our favourites

Pros

  • Strong performance
  • Great battery life
  • Very thin and light

Cons

  • Webcam only 720p
  • Expensive for a Chromebook
Asus Chromebook CX9 specs
ProcessorIntel Core i5, 2.4Ghz
RAM16GB
Storage256GB
Weight1.05kg
Thickness0.71in
Display14in, IPS
BatteryUp to 14 hours (claimed)

Simply put, the CX9 is one of the most powerful Chromebooks out there, and its specs match that of a high-end Windows PC, hence its lofty price tag. With an 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD drive for speedy storage, it’ll give even “proper” laptops a run for their money.

If you want one of the top Chromebooks out there then feel free to drop the cash on this no-compromise, touchscreen experience. Just bear in mind that you could get a similarly-specced Windows machine for around the same price, with all the Windows apps and features thrown in for good measure. If your heart’s set on Chrome OS though, you’re in for a treat.


6. Asus Flip CX3

Stuff Verdict

We like how Asus includes a stylus with this Chromebook, and we especially like the USB-C ports, along with the speedy processor and compact design

Pros

  • Thin and light
  • Stylus included
  • USB-C ports

Cons

  • Limited storage
  • More RAM would be welcome
Asus Flip CX3 specs
ProcessorMediaTek Kompanio 820, 2.2GHz
RAM4GB
Storage64GB
Weight1.13kg
Thickness0.7in
Display12in, LCD
Battery11 hours (claimed)

With an Intel Core i3 processor, the CX3 is at the more powerful end of the convertible Chromebook spectrum. With a 14in screen that can flip around on itself for a tablet-like experience, it’s also got the advantage of being stylus-compatible (Asus Pen support), which is good news for doodlers, notetakers, and digital artists.

Its 10-hour battery life isn’t the best on this list, but if you’re set on a tablet-like Chromebook experience, then it’s definitely worth a look.


7. HP Chromebook X2

Stuff Verdict

As much a tablet as it is a laptop, the Chromebook X2 packs great performance into a thin and lightweight package that’s great for traveling

Pros

  • Great for lightweight travel
  • Removable keyboard cover

Cons

  • Not the cheapest Chromebook
HP Chromebook X2 specs
ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 7c, 2.4GHz
RAM8GB
Storage64GB
Weight1.16kg
Thickness0.29in
Display11in, 2K, IPS touchscreen
BatteryUp to 11 hours (claimed)

The HP X2 is similar to Lenovo’s Duet 5, powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon processor and paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. It’s also got a detachable keyboard and built-in stand for transforming tricks. Where it sets itself apart though, is its screen.

It’s an 11in, pixel-packed Quad HD (2160 x 1440p) display, making it one of the sharpest Chromebook experiences around. From reading text to watching Netflix, it’s a superb pick for ravenous content consumers. With dual Bang & Olufsen speakers and a respectable 11 hours of claimed battery life, it’s got plenty of other positives going for it too.


8. Acer Chromebook Spin 713

Stuff Verdict

The size and the specs make it ideal for anyone who wants a Chromebook that’s a bit more serious and polished, but still does the fun stuff too

Pros

  • Excellent, vibrant display
  • Impressive battery life
  • Versatile, folding form factor

Cons

  • Quite thick display bezels
  • No desktop applications
  • Not the cheapest Chromebook
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 specs
Processor
RAM8GB
Storage128GB
Weight1.37kg
Thickness0.66in
Display13.5in 2256 x 1504 60Hz IPS
Battery10 hours

The Spin 713 is at the higher end of transforming Chromebooks, with a 13.5in Quad HD display that’s able to flip around for touchscreen tricks. With an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, it’s far from a slouch in the specs department either.

Its display is compatible with certain styluses for creatives looking to get their digital juices flowing, while a built-in HDMI port, USB-Type C port and Thunderbolt 4 place it up there with some of the more premium specced-out rivals on this list.


How to choose the best Chromebook

To buy the best Chromebook for you it’s important to find the right balance between cost and performance. Most Chromebooks are light, thin and highly portable, but not all offer much in the way of performance, so be prepared to up your budget if you require a machine that does more than web browsing. Another key question is to ask yourself whether you need a touchscreen or not, and whether you’d like a Chromebook that turns into a tablet by way of a detachable keyboard.

Next up, connections. Do you need to plug much into your Chromebook? And of those things you’d like to plug in, how many are USB-C? To avoid living the dongle life, we recommend picking a Chromebook with at least one such port, if that’s something you need.

Lastly, storage. Some Chromebooks really don’t have much internal storage at all. If you store everything in the cloud then there isn’t something to worry about, but if you want local storage for music, movies or other large files, then make sure you’re picking a machine with 128GB of storage or more.

Now, if you prefer Windows, you can read our guide to the best cheap laptops.

How we test the best Chromebooks

Like all other products, we set up and use Chromebooks as our own machines before reaching a verdict on whether you should buy them or not. We usually spend a week or longer reviewing each Chromebook, testing out its screen, keyboard and trackpad, as well as the performance of the processor and the all-important battery life.

For more information on Stuff’s rating and review process, read our page on how we test products.

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About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.

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