The Best Chromebooks for Every Budget
Chromebooks aren’t just the realm of budget, low-end devices anymore. Thanks to smart initiatives from Google, Chromebook makers are stepping up their game with more powerful hardware than ever before, while keeping prices lower than Windows and macOS laptop alternatives. Throw in a fresh focus on handy AI features, and you have a range of affordable computers that make a strong case for replacing your aging laptop.
ChromeOS still doesn’t compete with Windows and Mac machines for heavy-duty stuff like gaming and video editing, but it isn’t trying to. The beauty of Chromebooks is that they offer a lightweight portal to the things that most people need a computer for, without any extra fluff. If you spend all day in a web browser, work with Google apps, and do some occasional light photo editing, a solid Chromebook could be all you need. WIRED has tested Chromebooks for more than a decade and we’re always on the lookout for the best ones to spend your hard-earned money on. These are the best Chromebooks we recommend right now.
Be sure to read through our Best Cheap Laptops, Best Laptops, and Best MacBooks guides for more options.
Updated August 2024: We've added the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE, Asus Chromebook Plus CX34, and the Asus Chromebook CM14.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
Wait, What Does “Chromebook Plus” Mean?
Almost every Chromebook we recommend below has “Chromebook Plus” in the name. This is an initiative Google launched in late 2023 with its hardware partners to offer a new category of Chromebooks designed to offer a better, more premium experience. To be deemed a Chromebook Plus, a laptop has to meet or exceed the following hardware requirements:
- CPU: Intel Core i3 12th Gen or above; AMD Ryzen 3 7000 series or above
- RAM: 8 GB or more
- Storage: 128 GB or more
- Webcam: 1080p or higher with Temporal Noise Reduction
- Display: Full HD (1080p) IPS or better
The result? A new baseline that guarantees a certain level of performance when you see the Chromebook Plus name. With the rise in remote work, Google is especially focused on ensuring Chromebook Plus laptops offer a better video calling experience with a higher standard for webcams and AI camera tricks. It’s also gradually folding new AI features into ChromeOS that benefit from the added hardware heft.
Regular Chromebooks haven’t disappeared, and you’ll still find super-budget Chromebook models without the “Plus” moniker. Chromebook Plus models start at $399, though you’ll often find them on sale for less. Expect non-Plus Chromebooks focused on more basic needs to continue to hit store shelves in the $250 range.