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Best Chromebook 2024: Our favourite ChromeOS laptops
In This Article
Let’s be honest, most laptops are incredibly expensive, making a new purchase a costly expense. But most people don’t need to spend over the odds on a portable PC, especially if you’re open to the very best Chromebook options.
That said, there are a lot of Chromebooks out there that have a tortoise-pace performance, and are made of cheap plastic. Finding a Chromebook that truly represents good value can be a difficult task then, but we’ve stepped in to offer some help.
Our team of experts review all of the latest Chromebooks to launch each year, as we use industry-standard practises to test the likes of the design, performance, battery life, software and more. Those that perform well are considered for this Best Chromebook list, so you can be sure you’re getting the finest quality.
It’s important to acknowledge the limitations of a Chromebook, as since they’re based on ChromeOS, they have limited software support compared to Windows and macOS. If you need niche software beyond the classics, then check out ourbest laptop,best ultrabookandbest MacBookguides.
Also factoring in the basic performance, you should only really consider a Chromebook if you’re happy to stick to basic tasks such as web browsing, streaming video, sending emails and typing up essays. But if that sounds perfect to you, then keep on reading, as we’ve listed all of the highest-rated Chromebooks we’ve had the pleasure to review.
Best Chromebooks at a glance
How we test
Every laptop we review goes through a series of uniform checks designed to gauge key things including build quality, performance, screen quality and battery life.These include formal synthetic benchmarks and scripted tests, plus a series of real world checks, such as how well it runs the most frequently used apps.We also make sure to use every laptop we review as our primary device for at least a week to ensure our review is as accurate as possible.
Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (Intel 13th-Gen)
Pros
Cons
TheAcer Chromebook Spin 714 (Intel 13th Gen)is an excellent Chromebook with a sleek design, zippy performance and a solid 11-hour battery life. If you’re wanting the best Chromebook, look no further.
The Chromebook Spin 714 shares a similar modern style with its predecessor, theChromebook Spin 714 (2023). There’s minimal flex in the chassis and the display is surrounded by thin bezels with just enough room for the 1440p webcam. It’s also lightweight enough to take out at just 1.37kg.
One downside to the laptop’s compact size is its slightly limited port selection. However, with two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports, HDMI out, a headphone jack and USB-A, it’s not terrible – you just might need to pick up a dongle if you need a second USB-A port or microSD slot.
The 65% keyboard, meanwhile, offers marvellous tactility and the keys are complete with backlighting.
The 14-inch 1920 x 1200 IPS touchscreen remains virtually unchanged from its predecessor, which is excellent news. The 300 nits of peak brightness offers vibrant images and colours are solid with deep-looking blacks. You can also choose to pair the display with a stylus, though Acer unfortunately doesn’t include one in the box anymore.
Intel’s 13th-gen chips offer nippy performance for day-to-day tasks, allowing us to record solid results in Geekbench 6. The performance matches well against similarly priced and specced Windows laptops, like theMicrosoft Surface Laptop Go 3, in single-core workloads.
The ChromeOS software is lightweight and easy to use, with no unwanted bloatware to contend with. The laptop also benefits from Google’s Chromebook Plus features, including the Magic Eraser, Offline File Sync, AI video calling features and web-based Photoshop support.
Reviewer:Reece Bithrey
Full Review:Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (Intel 13th Gen)
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
Pros
Cons
TheAsus Chromebook Plus CX34launched as part of the first wave of Google’s new initiative,Chromebook Plus. The scheme offers a new standard for Chromebooks, bringing solid productivity chops to budget ChromeOS devices and beyond as well as offering some dedicated features. The Chromebook Plus CX34 demonstrates that it’s a rather good idea.
Whether it’s a ChromeOS machine or a Windows device, it can be hard to sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to budget laptops. Chromebook Plus fixes this by requiring its devices to offer minimum specifications, including a Full HD IPS display, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, 1080p webcam and a modern processor. Smartly, Asus doesn’t try to be too clever by going much beyond these minimum requirements, simply opting to boost the storage to 256GB SSD, allowing it to keep the price low at just over £400/$400.
Some may fret that just a 12th Gen Intel Core i3 chip may not be enough for them but, given the lightweight nature of ChromeOS, a solid 8GB RAM and notions of simply providing enough juice for productivity users, content-watchers and web-browsers, it positively nails it. Our review declared this Chromebook Plus CX34 offered strong all-round performance and had breathing space for a good amount of multi-tasking. It’s ideal for students and remote works on a budget too, with that solid 1080p webcam on board.
Despite the low price, the Chromebook Plus moniker brings some added software luxury to the CX34. The webcam gets boosted by AI video calling features, such as helping with dodgy lighting and pesky background noise. The features aren’t just limited to Google Meet either, they’ll work across Microsoft Teams, Zoom and more. The CX34 is even capable of running Adobe Photoshop for the web, giving the traditionally productivity-focused ChromeOS a creative boost. Speaking of photos, the Magic Eraser has made its way over from Google Pixel phones to Chromebook Plus and it’s ideal for fixing any errant figures on your treasured photos.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull review:Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 review
HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook (2023)
Pros
Cons
Would you turn your nose up at the idea of a near-$1000 Chromebook? Well, theHP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook (2023)may not be for you but, if you have considered a high-end ChromeOS device then this excellent machine could sway you.
We must note that this laptop isn’t available in the UK just yet, but it is widely available in the US. If you are able to get your hands on it however then you’ll find one of the most interesting laptops of recent years. It’s a rare high-end Chromebook that feels like it earns its price, in the same way theGoogle Pixelbook Godid several years ago.
Despite sporting a 12th Gen Intel chip, rather than the latest 13th Gen, performance is impressive as it fulfils all the key productivity requirements a ChromeOS device could ask for. The productivity sell is rounded out with a joyous keyboard that has some pleasing RGB lighting playfully bundled in.
The 14-inch panel gets wonderfully bright and the QHD+ resolution offers more than enough detail. With a 16:10 ratio, it’s another win for productivity too with plenty of space for multiple windows and apps. The superb screen is matched by surprisingly good speakers for such a slim machine, with some delightful detail to boot.
You’ll be perfectly fine slinging this laptop around in your work bag too as it offers robust build quality and even looks the part, with a stylish matte off-white colour offered.
Reviewer:Chris SmithFull review:HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook (2023) review
Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook
Pros
Cons
Looking for a reasonably priced productivity machine with a big screen to help you truly get the job done? TheLenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebookis well worth your consideration.
Despite its low price, the IdeaPad 5i Chromebook doesn’t shirk a bit of style. The two-tone grey design puts this above some rival Chromebooks that opt for an extremely basic look, giving this machine a business vibe. Owing to its larger screen, this ChromeOS device does have to don a bit of extra weight at 1.85kg but rather thin bezels do help to ease the blow to design elsewhere.
The same bang-for-your-buck nature of this machine extends to the keyboard and trackpad too. The keys are extremely comfortable all across this full-size offering and there’s a large trackpad with a pleasing click. The display itself comes with a 16:10 aspect ratio for further enhancing the multitasking productivity chops that the large FHD+ 16-inch panel already offers. It’s not stunningly accurate or colourful, but that’s not the end of the world for a cheap device that’s focused on getting work done.
The specs sheet may not blow you away, with a 12th Gen Intel Core i3 chip onboard but, due to 8GB RAM and the lightweight nature of ChromeOS, it works out to be more than enough for speedy browsing, word processing and multitasking.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull review:Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Chromebook review
HP Chromebook x2 11
Pros
Cons
Even though it may feel like it, not every laptop out there costs the earth. If you’re looking for a Chromebook that won’t break your bank account then you will want to take a look at the 4.5-starHP Chromebook x2 11, which has a very reasonable $599/£499.99 starting price.
The Chromebook x2 11 is a two-in-one device, so it can be used as both a tablet and a laptop. Unlike most traditional two-in-one devices, the Chromebook x2 11 is a tablet that comes with two detachable accessories – a keyboard and a back cover – allowing it to be used as a proper tablet. The keyboard offers solid travel and a decent level of tactility while the trackpad has more than enough real estate for the price.
The 11-inch display comes with a Quad HD (1440p) resolution and a quoted brightness of 400 nits; our reviewer found that the display offered excellent detail with generally vibrant images and solid colours. The integrated Bang & Olufsen speakers pumped out plenty of volume, although we did note that they can sound a little thin on occasion.
HP opted to kit out the Chromebook x2 11 with a Snapdragon 7c chipset. It provided enough power for day-to-day tasks and didn’t falter with multiple Chrome tabs open. It also managed to stay cool and quiet during our review period, making it a reliable option for anyone who conducts their work in either word processors or web browser-based applications. If you’re in need of a Chromebook that is capable of more intensive workloads, then you will want to take a gander at theAcer Chromebook Spin 714 (2023)orLenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 Chromebook.
Overall, anyone who’s on the lookout for an affordableChromeOSdevice should look no further than the HP Chromebook x2 11. Its versatile design combined with its dependable performance make it an easy choice for students and hybrid workers alike, and it’s one of the few budget Chromebooks out there that isn’t let down by its 2-in-1 design.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull Review:HP Chromebook x2 11
Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip
Pros
Cons
Gaming Chromebooks aimed to sell the laptop world on Google’s Stadia game streaming platform. But, theclosure of Stadiastopped that dead in its tracks. Nevertheless, the devices were ready to go, instead relying onNvidia GeForce NowandXbox Cloud Gaming. The pick of the bunch is theAsus Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip.
The notion of a gaming Chromebook, when ChromeOS devices are far from being able to play AAA games natively, is an odd one. But, putting aside native gaming, aiming for gaming-friendly specs means this Chromebook is simply successful at being a good high-endChromebook. This aim gives the device its best features, that being a bright FHD+ 144Hz display, excellent keyboard, stand-out design and powerful processor. All these things are far from a given on the majority of Chromebooks.
But, its bread and butter remains game streaming, and it excels in that department. The 144Hz display means you can experience high-end gaming visuals without having expensive hardware to back it up, afforded to you by those Nvidia and Xbox streaming services. Having Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 helps to make sure your experience runs as smoothly as possible, across online connectivity and connecting your peripherals. However, you’ll still have to have decent internet speeds and Wi-Fi connectivity in your home or out and about for it to work seamlessly.
Reviewer:Callum BainsFull review:Asus Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip review
Google Pixelbook Go
Pros
Cons
TheGoogle Pixelbook Gois a brilliantly designed laptop with a minimalistic, matte black frame. Tipping the scales at just over a kilogram in weight also means we found it to be a great option for those wanting something wonderfully portable.
The mid-tier model, complete with an eighth-gen Intel Core i5 processor and 128GB, offers speedy performance for ChromeOS, but it’s really the software that restricts the Pixelbook Go. Google’s own premium Chromebook occupies an odd position where it’s a premium laptop on the outside with a less powerful OS on the inside, and splashing out on a high-class laptop for simple tasks seems like a backwards purchase.
A 4K model is available if you’re willing to spend four figures on a Chromebook, but our sample’s 1080p panel is perfectly functional with crisp colours and touch input. It’s serviceable for day-to-day usage, but if having a top display on a Chromebook is a top priority, then theSamsung Galaxy Chromebookwith its 4K OLED panel may be a better bet.
We found the Pixelbook Go’s battery life to be stellar too, with it offering a good amount of endurance. During testing, we found it lasted for nearly 12 hours before conking out in our battery loop test, and lasted for a working day comfortably with around 20% juice to spare.
The Google Pixelbook Go hits the sweet spot between performance and price, making it a great alternative to more expensive laptops for those who only need a machine for web browsing, video streaming and word processing.
Reviewer:Max ParkerFull review:Google Pixelbook Go review
Acer Chromebook Vero 514
Pros
Cons
TheAcer Chromebook Vero 514is a solid Chromebook with a gorgeous, durable design and an environmentally-friendly chassis.
The Vero 514 has a speckled grey chassis composed of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics that makes it stand out from the crowd. The trackpad includes recycled ocean-bound plastic, while PCR plastic can be found in 30% of the chassis/screen bezel and 50% of the keycaps and speakers. Of course, the packaging is eco-friendly too, consisting of recycled paper, cardboard and other natural fibres.
The 14-inch IPS touchscreen delivers solid detail and brightness with decent colours that pop when watching content.
The keyboard is compact with a 65% layout and offers good tactility and travel. The legends are also clearly visible in all lights, while the backlighting makes it possible to work after dark. The trackpad meanwhile is a good size, leaving plenty of space for functions, though the Gorilla Glass can feel a bit too smooth at times.
Performance-wise, the Vero 514 offers excellent power for a Chromebook with a good quantity of RAM and storage. This allows the laptop to feel especially nippy for the light computing tasks that ChromeOS is designed to handle.
The Chromebook’s Geekbench 5 scores even outperformed one of our favourite similarly-priced Windows laptops, theMicrosoft Surface Laptop Go 2.
Finally, the Acer Chromebook Vero 514 has an all-day battery life that managed to last 11 hours and 28 minutes in our testing. This was with the keyboard backlighting switched off and the brightness halved.
If you’re after a powerful Chromebook with an eco-friendly build, the Vero 514 offers snappy performance for day-to-day tasks.
Reviewer:Reece BithreyFull Review:Acer Chromebook Vero 514
We also considered…
Chromebook Plus brings budget laptop bliss
The best sub-£800 Chromebook
A Chromebook with a budget-friendly price
One of the best Chromebooks you can buy
An incredibly affordable Chromebook that’s ideal for school students
We’ve reviewed
FAQs
A Chromebook uses Google’s ChromeOS software, while a more conventional laptop uses Windows. ChromeOS doesn’t offer as much freedom as Windows, relying instead on Google’s app store for software, but is arguably more user-friendly. Chromebooks are often cheaper than Windows laptops, but offer a basic performance for productivity. This isn’t a good option for gamers and creators, but great for students and casual use.
Yes, you can find Microsoft Word in the app store, while you also have the option of Google Docs.
Absolutely, although you’ll need an internet connection to download and use apps such as Netflix and Spotify.
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Hannah joined Trusted Reviews as a staff writer in 2019 after graduating with a degree in English from Royal Holloway, University of London. She’s also worked and studied in the US, holding positions …
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Why trust our journalism?
Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.
Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
