These days, the best Chromebooks will change your mind, if you’ve been on the fence about getting a cheaper laptop with a more lightweight operating system. These capable portables can hold their own against traditional laptops, and can even give the best laptops a run for their money in terms of design, multitasking performance and ease of use.
The lightweight laptops that you once knew are not just for casual use anymore. The best Cromebooks can do just about anything that most people would need from a laptop, surpassing their predecessors. They now offer up similar power and flexibility as their Windows and Mac counterparts, and come with a staggeringly long battery life, perfect for those wanting to do some light gaming or video streaming on the go.
Whether you spend most of your computing time browsing online, checking emails and streaming your favorite show or you need a capable machine for general productivity like word processing or spreadsheets and casual photo editing, the best Chromebooks are more than up to the task at a much more affordable price. Take a look at the best Chromebooks 2020 has to offer. Don’t forget to take a look at our price comparison tool to find the best deal on your Chromebook of choice.
1. Google Pixelbook Go
The best Chromebook ever made
CPU: Intel Core m3 – Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) or 4K LCD touchscreen | Storage: 128GB – 256GB eMMC
Incredible battery life
Amazing ‘Hush’ keyboard
Iffy pricing at mid- to- high-end
No biometric login
Google continues its tradition of making the best Chromebooks in the world. While it’s older Pixelbook used to occupy the top spot in our best Chromebooks list, it’s been replaced by Google’s latest Chromebook: the Pixelbook Go.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.
Read the full review: Google Pixelbook Go
2. HP Chromebook 14
Striking optimal balance between value and design
CPU: Intel Celeron N2840 – N2940 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics | RAM: 2GB – 4GB | Screen: 14-inch, HD (1,366 x 768) BrightView | Storage: 16GB – 32GB eMMC
Excellent keyboard, trackpad
Crisp, vivid screen
Slower than some rivals
Average battery life
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 to date.
Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14
3. Asus Chromebook Flip
Premium Chromebook specs, economic Chromebook pricing
CPU: Intel Pentium 4405Y – Intel Core m3-6Y30 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 12.5-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED backlit anti-glare | Storage: 32GB – 64GB eMMC
Elegant tablet mode
Tactile keyboard
No out-of-box Android app support
Middling speakers
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.
Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip
4. Acer Chromebook R11
The 360-degree hinge is a winner
CPU: Intel Celeron N3060 – N3150 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics – Intel HD Graphics 400 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 11.6-inch, HD (1,366 x 768) | Storage: 16GB – 32GB SSD
Convertible
Good battery life
HD-only display
Terrible trackpad
We wouldn’t be surprised to see Acer replacing the Chromebook R11 someday soon – at least, judging by the recent 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.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11
5. Acer Chromebook 314
A tremendous Chromebook
CPU: Intel Celeron N4000 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 14-inch LED (1366 x 768) high definition | Storage: 32GB eMMC
Excellent battery life and performance
Bright, crisp screen
No touchscreen
No fingerprint reader
If you’re looking for a Chromebook that really gives you excellent value for money, then the Acer Chromebook 314 is the best Chromebook for you. It’s easy to use, reliable, and has a wonderful screen and battery life (up to 12 hours) combo – not to mention, a 14-inch crisp and bright display that gives you more screen real estate for your productivity needs. It also has a keyboard that is satisfying and a joy to use, as well as a touchpad that interacts well with all your fingers’ movements and commands. More importantly, it strikes a great balance between design, usability, features, battery life and performance, while being comfortable with its own limitations.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 314
- This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Asus Chromebook Flip.
6. Acer Chromebook Spin 311
Versatile and fun little Chromebook for work and play
CPU: Intel Celeron N4000 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 11.6″ HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 IPS touchscreen | Storage: 64GB Flash Memory
Great design and build
Lovely size
Excellent touch screen and flip mechanism
Dim screen
Massive bezels drastically reduce actual screen size
If versatility is a top priority, then look no further than the Acer Chromebook Spin 311. This all-rounder has all the makings of a great Chromebook, from its good battery life to its robust build and solid usability. However, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 takes it further with its impressive levels of versatility, thanks to its abundance of ports considering its size, 2-in-1 design, portable size and excellent touchscreen display. It also boasts a keyboard and a touchpad that are not only reliable, but also satisfying to use. That’s a rare thing in a machine at this price point.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 311
7. Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1
Back to the core of the Chromebook
CPU: Intel Celeron N3060 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 11.6-inch, HD (1366 x 768) touchscreen | Storage: 32GB-64GB eMMC
Durable
Long battery life
Not very powerful
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. Aned, 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.
Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1
8. Acer Chromebook Spin 11
A fresh spin on one of the best Chromebooks
CPU: 1.1GHz Intel Celeron N3350 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 500 | RAM: 4GB LPDDR4 | Screen: 11.6-inch HD (1,366 x 768) IPS touch | Storage: 32GB eMMC SSD
Affordable price
Durable frame
Dim screen
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.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 11
9. Acer Chromebook 15
Favoring longevity over beefy specs
CPU: Intel Pentium N4200 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) | Storage: 32GB eMMC
Unbelievable battery life
Attractive, fanless design
Trackpad feels clunky
Easy to weigh down with tabs
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.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15
10. Acer Chromebook Spin 15
The ultimate Chromebook for multitasking
CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615 | RAM: 8 – 16GB | Screen: 12.3-inch, QHD (2,400 x 1,600) touchscreen | Storage: 128GB – 512GB
Plenty of power
Extremely long battery life
Beautifully responsive touchscreen
Lots of wasted real estate
Trackpad could be better
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.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 15
Juan Martinez, Michelle Rae Uy and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article.
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