Chrome OS is more than "just a browser" these days. This cloud-focused operative system now runs on everything from tablets and laptops to All-in-One Chromebases and desktops. As basically the only mainstream alternatives to inconsistent Windows laptops and ungodly expensive MacBooks, Chromebooks have turned into the "it just works" laptops for millions of consumers as well as tens of millions of students, educators, and business users.

Chromebooks may have started as budget-minded netbooks, but plenty of powerful, premium options now exist. So whether you need a powerhouse to work on, an affordable kid-proof laptop, or even a Chrome OS tablet as a longer-lasting alternative to the best Android tablets, we'll help you find the best one for your needs.

With Amazon's Prime Day expected to happen in just a few short weeks, we've been keeping a close watch on the best early Prime Day Chromebook deals. We're expecting to see a bunch of the best Chromebooks go on sale, and we're in fact already finding some quality deals. Lenovo's Flex 5i Chromebook, our top overall choice, is currently 16% off the regular price, bringing it down to $363. The Acer Spin 714, our premium pick, is also discounted at Best Buy; you can save more than $200 right now. Even the new Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i (Gen 8) is already discounted, with a $70 savings at Best Buy.

Our favorite Chromebooks in 2023

Lenovo's Duet 5 might be stealing all the limelight with that 400-nit touchscreen and the detachable keyboard. That said, when you need to get down to business, that's when the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook shines with its power and practicality. The 2-in-1 convertible may not be as sexy as a detachable, but it's worlds better to use on the couch, the bed, the bus, and anywhere you aren't sitting immediately in front of a table or desk. Better stability and backlit keys improve productivity, further spurred by its 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM, making this the best Lenovo Chromebook out there.

We warmly welcome the memory upgrade, as 8GB RAM models of its predecessor were notoriously hard to find. The extra memory comes in handy when you're trying to multitask during video calls or juggling multiple monitors. Even with the extra performance of the 11th Gen i3, battery life should last a full workday and then some. While an i5 model would have been nice to see — and would've been eligible for the Steam on Chrome OS Alpha test — the i3 is more than enough for most workloads. (While we're on the subject, please ignore any underpowered Pentium models you might come across; the i3 models sell for about the same price.)

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 improves on the previous model as the year's best 2-in-1 convertible in 2023. It comes packed with Intel's newest 12th generation Core i5 processor and 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, paired with 256GB of high-speed storage, adding up to a machine that can tackle almost any task. The screen has jumped to 14 inches, now at a 16:10 ratio, which is great for watching content and split-screening multiple windows. The webcam and microphones are better than most Chromebooks, and Wi-Fi 6E means that no matter how new the network, you'll get the top speeds for your conference calls or that championship live stream you've been waiting months to see.

Our Acer Chromebook Spin 714 review noted, "The convertible's aluminum chassis is durable and versatile, the built-in stylus is always there when you need it, typing is comfortable, and battery life goes and goes." It's still a device we use frequently for work and play, and it should make for a great transition device if you're coming from a different platform.

USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports allow the Spin 714 to work with just about any docking station, dongle, and accessory. The built-in USI stylus allows you to navigate and interact with complex Excel forms or Android games. (I confess I play far too much Stardew Valley and Merge Dragons on my Chromebook.) It can also go a full workday and then some before you'll need to find a charger. While $700 is expensive for a Chromebook, we're now seeing it more than $200 off at Best Buy ahead of Prime Day. This likely coincides with the expected launch of the new Spin 714 with 13th Gen Intel Core CPUs.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 isn't the most cutting-edge device, but for kids, you might not trust to take care of their things — or if you're just clumsy like me — it does the job just fine. Yes, the 11.6-inch touchscreen display at 1366x768 pixels is old, and its bezels are chunky. However, those beefy bezels come in handy while using the 311 as a tablet, which you can feasibly do with this Chromebook because it's small enough and light enough not to kill your hand after 15 minutes of holding it. And I've gotten over 15 hours of battery life on a single charge with it, so its battery claims are no joke.

Five Acer Chromebook Spin 311 models are running around out there — Acer, I love you, but at least use generations in the name — and we recommend the CP311-3H for those looking for the best price possible while still getting the longest support life. If you need extra kid-proofing, you'll want the education edition, the R722T, which usually costs $100-$250 more and isn't quite the value the 3H is. Both use the efficiency-focused Mediatek MT8183, 4GB of RAM, and either 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, as well as featuring the same ports.

Much like the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook released last year, the latest HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is built for enthusiasts and perfectionists. This time around, it's gone for more of a business-casual notebook look than a full formal convertible design. It also has a locked-in configuration with 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U CPU, 16GB of LPDDR5-5200MHz RAM, 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD, and a 14-inch touch display with 2560x1600 resolution, 1,200 nits brightness, and 100% sRGB color. Although more affordable than the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook, it's still a high-end laptop with a lot to love. Did we mention it has an RGB keyboard?

Our Dragonfly Pro Chromebook review noted, "The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook was made with a lot of care (the engineers told me how much) and is definitely an enjoyable computer." You can easily tackle productivity work thanks to the strong performance; you can also deal with color-sensitive work thanks to the gorgeous touch display, and the speakers and camera are top-notch. It will even handle some light gaming and makes the cut as one of the best gaming Chromebooks. Expect about six to seven hours of battery life when going about regular work.

The Dragonfly Pro Chromebook has so far seen a limited release on the official HP website, and you might find that models are out of stock. However, continue checking back, as this laptop is still fresh and will receive restocks.

Intel Core processors might have a reputation, but they also carry a prestige you end up paying for. For budget-focused buyers, Ryzen-powered Chromebooks can give you the same dependable performance for much less. The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 gives us impressive performance while regularly dipping under $500 with frequent deals, making it a great 2-in-1 Chromebook choice. While the 14-inch touchscreen "only" being 1080p may seem like it's not a benefit, it allows the Spin 514 to have a better gaming experience now that Ryzen processors are eligible for Steam on Chrome OS's beta program. (FHD screens don't have to deal with scaling issues that 2K Chromebooks like the Acer Spin 713 or HP Elite Dragonfly do.)

This laptop also fixes a flaw that plagues many other Acer Chromebooks, including our beloved Acer Chromebook Spin 714 listed above: it has speakers you can hear properly. Up-firing speakers are almost standard from any laptop over 11.6 inches from HP and Lenovo, but Acer's stubbornly kept to down-firing speakers that are easy to block and don't get loud enough — until now. And that new configuration makes all the difference in the world, whether you're listing to a webinar lecture or just binging the latest season of your guilty pleasure.

Best Buy currently has the Spin 514 on clearance for $385, making this Chromebook more attractive than ever.

Lenovo has kept its crowd among the cheap compact Chromebook market for several years, first with the IdeaPad C330 and over half a dozen generations of the Flex 3 and Flex 3i Chromebooks. The eighth-generation Flex 3i Chromebook has now landed, and it finally brings a display upgrade to 12.2 inches at 1080p. The laptop is about the same size as the previous generation despite the larger screen; that's helped by slimmer bezels that give it a more modern look. You also get a clear picture and the versatility of touch control, made even better by the convertible design.

The Flex 3i Chromebook (Gen 8) is powered by a quad-core Intel Atom N100 processor with a maximum 3.4GHz boost clock speed, 4GB of LPDDR5 RAM, integrated Intel UHD graphics, and 64GB of eMMC storage. This together will provide snappy performance ideal for productivity work, web browsing, and streaming, but don't expect it to do much heavy lifting.

Port selection is generous despite the thin build. You get dual USB-A 3.2, one USB-C 3.2, HDMI, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and even a microSD card reader. The side of the chassis also includes a power button and volume rocker for easier control when in tablet mode. This Chromebook is built to last — as is expected from Lenovo — with a two-tone lid and otherwise Abyss Blue color.

Best Buy currently has the Flex 3i (Gen 8) on sale for $279 ahead of Prime Day. Considering how new this device is, any savings are greatly appreciated.

The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition is a unique device that offers modular ports and full upgradeability down to the motherboard and CPU. Not only does this versatility allow for a heavy dose of future-proofing, but you can also pick and choose the four ports on the device, whether you require an SD slot, multiple USB-C ports, or wish to use an Ethernet port on the go. And you're not locked in after making these choices since you can swap ports with the click of a button any time you wish.

Games and Apps Editor Matthew Sholtz reviewed the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition, saying, "All in all, I love what Framework is doing by pushing for full upgradeability in laptops, and by extension, its new Chromebook model is a breath of fresh air in an incredibly stagnant field." Of course, being able to upgrade your laptop is incredibly awesome, but this comes at a cost since not all components are easily purchased.

Sure, you can slap in more RAM or upgrade the M.2 drive for more storage anytime you wish, and you can buy this hardware from many different stores. But the motherboard in the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition is another story. If you want to replace it, you are dependent on Framework to supply one, so the choices are limited and expensive. Furthermore, if Framework ever goes under, well, there goes your ability to upgrade your motherboard and CPU.

Still, what Framework has accomplished with the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition and the rest of its fully upgradeable laptops is pretty remarkable, as laptops have rarely been known for their upgrade paths. The Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition is an incredibly interesting laptop, making it a solid contender as one of the best Chromebooks to be released this year.

The original Lenovo Chromebook Duet remains one of the best tablets under $300 even almost three years later. It can run Android apps, has the full desktop version of Chrome, and will be getting eight years of system updates. But it wasn't all that powerful; the speakers were quiet, and the keyboard was uber-cramped, given the ultra-compact 10.1-inch size. Lenovo fixed every one of those complaints with the Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook.

Sporting a 13.3-inch, 16:9 touchscreen with 1080p resolution and 400 nits of brightness — and four much louder speakers — the Duet 5 is an even better tablet for content consumption than its predecessor. In addition, the full-size keyboard now magnetizes to the screen when closed instead of flopping around. Plus, we have the option for 8GB of RAM instead of being stuck with 4GB, which is a real boon for multitasking.

While the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 compute platform may not be the most powerful processor, it knows how to sip battery like 50-year-old whiskey. I've gone two light workdays on the Duet 5 before, and on weekends of e-reading and solitaire, I've managed to eke it out to 2.5 days. You can do light-to-medium work on the Duet 5, but know upfront that the 7c Gen 2 will not match an Intel Core i3 — and it isn't trying to. This is more of a leisure/tertiary device that can double for a laptop in a pinch.

When it comes to the best gaming Chromebooks on the market today, the Asus Chromebook Vibe CX55 is our premium pick and one of the best Asus Chromebooks around. It's a convertible laptop that can handle local gaming (like with Steam) and cloud gaming, giving you the best of both worlds. Its 15.6-inch touch display has a 1920x1080 (FHD) resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, and up to 250 nits brightness. Having more nits to work with would be nice, but you can't complain about the smooth 144Hz refresh rate. This being a convertible, the screen can rotate around 360 degrees for tent, stand, and tablet modes, which is particularly useful when enjoying Android games designed for touch displays.

There's no Ethernet port here, so you'll have to rely on Wi-Fi 6; this can be fixed with a great Chromebook dock connected to the laptop's USB-C port. Red highlights mark the WASD keys beyond the normal backlighting, and 1.4mm key travel keeps typing or gaming comfortable even during long sessions. The laptop is powered by 11th Gen Intel Core CPUs, Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics, up to 16GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and up to 512GB of storage space.

Buying the right Chromebook for you

The Chromebooks above are designed to suit most users, and you should find something you love. However, when buying a new Chromebook, there are three essential factors to keep in mind to help you land the best option possible:

• 4GB RAM is only acceptable for casual (not used primarily for work) Chromebooks under $300; 8GB is good, but 16GB is better (if you can find it). This is especially vital if you take a lot of video calls or hoard Chrome tabs.
• Non-touch displays don't save you much money, and touchscreens are worth every penny if you're buying for a kid or regularly using Android apps.
• Chromebooks have (Auto Update) Expiration dates, after which Google no longer guarantees updates. We list the AUE date for every model in our guide, but should you be drawn to another, please check the AUE date, as that's the best litmus test of whether a Chromebook is new, kind of new, or old.

As a bonus tip, know that a great deal on a Chromebook with a keyboard or touchpad that doesn't suit your style doesn't mean you're stuck using the built-in hardware. Our collections of the best keyboards for Chromebooks and best mice for Chromebooks will get you the best hardware to maximize productivity and ultimately help you enjoy the laptop to its fullest each time you sit down. When you need more space to spread things out, you can hook most mid-range and Premium Chromebooks up to an external screen.

The best Chromebooks balance price and power

While most Chromebooks today are still budget-minded models like the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 and Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook, more powerful Chromebooks are also becoming more competitively priced. Take the Acer Chromebook Spin 714: its $730 list price is half that of the HP Elite Dragonfly Chromebook while sporting the same i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, but Best Buy regularly discounts the 714 down to $600 or even $530, allowing you to grab a premium Chromebook at a mid-range price.

Things get even more cutthroat in the $300-$500 range: the Lenovo Flex 5i is normally $430, but most of the time, it hovers between $300 and $350, while the Acer Spin 514 and Lenovo Duet 5 bob up and down with their own discounts too, even though both serve different niches. Oh, and to anyone daunted by a 13.3-inch tablet, look at the Duet 5 as a laptop with a removable keyboard rather than a standalone tablet. It comes with a magnetic kickstand for a reason, and I've wasted many a weekend on the Duet playing casual Android games and flicking through webcomics on it.

All of these Chromebooks will see Chrome OS updates until Just 2029 or June 2030, so if you treat them well, they'll last you to the end of the decade, especially the more future-proofed HP Elite Dragonfly and Acer Spin 714. Both models are also some of your best bets for gaming now that Steam on Chrome OS has finally moved from Alpha to Beta and expanded to more models.

If you're on a budget, the refreshed Lenovo Flex 3i (Gen 8) looks quite tempting. It's just a hair smaller than the old model, yet it has a larger touch display with slimmer bezel. A quad-core Intel Atom N100 CPU powers it, plus it has a durable convertible build and starts at just $349 before any discounts.

Buying a Chromebook for kids and students

For kids you trust can take care of their laptops or those in middle/high school, seriously consider the Lenovo Flex 5i over the 11-inch models. It's usually less than $100 more, has a significantly better screen and processor, and is a solid Chromebook they can feasibly use throughout middle and high school before it stops getting system updates. (Assuming they don't break the screen or the battery before that.)

One final tip: leave the in-box 45W charger at home and buy a more compact Chromebook charger; 45W Power Delivery chargers are used for everything from Chromebooks to power banks, phones, and even wireless earbuds. You can find 65W two-port chargers that will charge your Chromebook and your phone simultaneously, so you can treat that ugly two-piece adapter as an in-case-of-emergency charger while using something more efficient and adaptable. And there are even more amazing Chromebook accessories to complement your new laptop.