A good Chromebook can do almost anything a regular laptop can do, and the best ones can feel better to use than their similarly priced Windows counterparts.
After testing most of the Chromebooks released over the past nine years and testing 15 models so far in 2023, we recommend the Acer Chromebook Spin 513 (CP513-2H-K62Y). It’s an exceptional laptop, with the best combination of features of all the Chromebooks we’ve tested: fast enough performance, an excellent screen, and long battery life.
Our pick
With reliable performance, a vivid, bright display, and long battery life, the Spin 513 is the best Chromebook for the price.
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | MediaTek Kompanio 1380 | Screen: | 13.5-inch 2256×1504 touch |
| Memory: | 8 GB | Weight: | 2.82 pounds |
| Storage: | 128 GB eMMC | Tested battery life: | 10.5 hours |
The thin-and-light Acer Chromebook Spin 513 (CP513-2H-K62Y) has a reliable keyboard and trackpad and a tall, vivid touchscreen. We were pleasantly surprised by the Spin 513’s performance, and it handled a typical workday of large documents, spreadsheets, streaming music, videos, and Zoom calls without issue. It has more than enough battery life to last a full day of work or classes.
Budget pick
This inexpensive model has fast performance, a spacious 16-inch screen with a high refresh rate, and an RGB keyboard with a built-in number pad. But it’s large and heavy.
The Core i5 model with more storage is overkill for most people, but it’s a good option if you find it on sale.
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Intel Core i3-1215U or Core i5-1235U | Screen: | 16-inch 2560×1600 non-touch, 120 Hz |
| Memory: | 8 GB | Weight: | 4.01 pounds |
| Storage: | 128 GB eMMC or 256 GB SSD | Tested battery life: | 9.5 hours* |
We tested the Core i5 model; we expect the Core i3 version to have slightly better battery life.
The best inexpensive Chromebook is the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming Chromebook 16″ with either a Core i3 or Core i5 processor—it’s also the best option if you want a big screen. Many cheap Chromebooks can’t handle a video call and an open document at the same time, or they feel slow with just a handful of tabs open, but this model can handle everyday workloads with ease. Photos and videos look great on its spacious 16-inch display with a high-refresh rate, and the RGB keyboard is a fun extra feature. But this 4-pound laptop is inconvenient to take to work, class, or even a coffee shop—it’s best used around the house. If you need a portable Chromebook to commute or travel with, consider our top pick instead.
Most people should get the Core i3 model with 128 GB of eMMC storage; it’s fast enough and it’s often cheaper. But if the Core i3 model is out of stock—or if you luck out on a great sale—the Core i5 model is also a great option.
Upgrade pick
The Spin 714 is faster than our main pick and has more storage, longer battery life, and a 1440p webcam. But it’s a bit heavier and its display doesn’t get as bright.
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Intel Core i5-1335U | Screen: | 14-inch 1920×1200 touch |
| Memory: | 8 GB | Weight: | 3.02 pounds |
| Storage: | 256 GB SSD | Tested battery life: | 13 hours |
If you want a Chromebook with faster performance, more storage, longer battery life, and a crisper-looking 1440p webcam, get the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (CP714-2W-56B2). It’s an excellent Chromebook with a reliable keyboard and trackpad and a vivid 14-inch display, though compared with the Spin 513, it has a dimmer, lower-resolution screen, and it’s slightly heavier.
