The Best Chromebooks of 2025: Expert Tested & Ranked

In the ever-evolving landscape of personal computing, Chromebooks have carved out a significant niche for themselves. These devices, running Google’s Chrome OS, offer a compelling alternative to traditional Windows and macOS laptops. They’re known for their speed, simplicity, and affordability, making them an excellent choice for students, casual users, and anyone looking for a straightforward computing experience.

At PCWorld, we’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 70 laptops every year. Our team of experts puts each and every laptop through a series of rigorous benchmarks that test GPU and CPU performance, battery life, and more. For Chromebooks, we focus on web-based tests that reflect their cloud-centric nature. Every pick on this list has been personally tested and vetted by our experts, who’ve applied not only performance benchmarks but also rigorous usability standards.

Our Top Picks for the Best Chromebooks

Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 – Best Overall Chromebook

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 stands out as our top pick for the best overall Chromebook. This device strikes an impressive balance between performance, features, and price, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of users.

Why we love it:

• Zippy processor performance: Powered by an Intel Core i5 processor, this Chromebook handles multitasking with ease.
• Nice keyboard: The keyboard is comfortable and responsive, making long typing sessions a breeze.
• Wide array of connectivity options: With USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a headphone jack, you’re well-equipped for any peripheral you might need.
• Chic design: The sleek, modern design looks great in any setting.

What to consider:

• Battery life isn’t competitive: While decent, the battery life doesn’t quite match some competitors.
• Display’s 16:9 aspect ratio feels a little cramped: Some users might prefer a wider aspect ratio for more screen real estate.

The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is perfect for anyone who wants a Chromebook that can do it all. Whether you’re streaming, doing schoolwork, or juggling multiple tabs, this device keeps up without breaking a sweat. The Intel Core i5 processor ensures smooth performance across various tasks, while the array of ports means you can connect all your devices without needing dongles.

However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The 16:9 screen can feel a bit cramped if you’re used to roomier displays, and while the 13 hours of battery life is respectable, some competitors offer even longer-lasting performance. But for most users, these minor quibbles won’t outweigh the overall excellence of this device.

Price: $549 (at time of review)

View deals on the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34

Asus Chromebook CX15 – Best Budget Chromebook

If you’re looking for a reliable laptop for under $200, the Asus Chromebook CX15 is definitely worth considering. This budget-friendly option punches above its weight class, offering features and performance that belie its low price point.

Why we love it:

• Good design with enjoyable keyboard: Despite its low cost, the CX15 doesn’t skimp on build quality or typing experience.
• Sharp 15.6-inch 1080p display: The large, high-resolution screen is great for both work and entertainment.
• Decent speakers: The audio quality is surprisingly good for a budget laptop.
• Extremely inexpensive: It’s hard to find a better value in the Chromebook market.

What to consider:

• Small touchpad: The touchpad is on the smaller side, which might take some getting used to.
• Slow dual-core processor: While adequate for basic tasks, don’t expect blazing-fast performance.
• 4GB RAM often holds it back: Multitasking can be sluggish with only 4GB of RAM.
• Short battery life for a Chromebook: Battery life is decent but not exceptional.

The Asus Chromebook CX15 is ideal for anyone who primarily uses their laptop for web browsing, watching YouTube videos, or other light tasks. The spacious 15.6-inch 1080p display and roomy keyboard make it feel more premium than you’d expect at this price point. For daily tasks like checking email, working on documents, or streaming video, it really gets the job done – something you can’t always say about machines in this range.

However, it’s important to set expectations appropriately. You’re not going to get high-end performance here, but for the price, the CX15 offers surprising value. The Intel Celerio N4500 processor provides enough pep for lighter workloads, but you may notice some lag when trying to run multiple demanding applications simultaneously. The battery life, at around 10 hours, is good but not class-leading.

Price: Under $200

Check prices on the Asus Chromebook CX15

Lenovo Chromebook Duet – Best Chromebook for Students

For students, commuters, or anyone who wants something light, cheap, and long-lasting, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is the one to pick. This 2-in-1 device offers a unique combination of portability, versatility, and battery life that’s hard to beat.

Why we love it:

• Great value: The Duet offers excellent features at a very competitive price point.
• Flexible form factor: Use it as a laptop or detach the keyboard for tablet mode.
• Surprisingly good keyboard: The detachable keyboard is better than you might expect.
• Amazing battery life: Easily get 12-13 hours on a single charge.

What to consider:

• Needs more RAM: 4GB of RAM can be limiting for some tasks.
• Android apps don’t run well: The performance of Android apps can be hit or miss.
• Vertical kickstand reduces horizontal options: The kickstand design limits some positioning options.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a game-changer for students and anyone on the go. Weighing just over two pounds with the keyboard and kickstand attached, it’s incredibly portable. You can slide it into a bag like it’s nothing, making it perfect for carrying between classes or meetings.

Battery life is where the Duet really shines. With 12-13 hours of use on a single charge, you can easily get through a full day of classes or work without needing to hunt for an outlet. The 2-in-1 setup adds versatility – type when you need to, flip it around, and chill with Netflix or YouTube when you don’t.

However, this isn’t a machine for power users. It’s not built for having ten open tabs and a Zoom call simultaneously. But for notes, documents, emails, and streaming? It’s smooth. The keyboard’s better than you’d expect – it’s flat but comfortable, and the screen, while only 10.1 inches, keeps distractions at bay.

Price: Around $300

Check prices on the Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 – Best High-End Chromebook

If you’re looking for a premium Chromebook experience, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 delivers in spades. This high-end device offers top-tier performance, a stunning display, and a versatile design that’s perfect for power users.

Why we love it:

• Good multitasking performance: The powerful processor handles multiple tasks with ease.
• Beautiful display: The 14-inch 1200p screen with 120Hz refresh rate is a joy to use.
• Punchy speakers: The audio quality is impressive for a laptop of this size.

What to consider:

• Keyboard took some getting used to: The keyboard’s unique design might require an adjustment period.
• AI stuff still feels unnecessary: Some of the AI features feel more gimmicky than useful.

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is perfect for users who want a Chromebook that feels like a step-up from entry-level fare. The 14-inch 1200p screen is smooth at 120Hz, providing a premium visual experience. At about three pounds, it’s light enough to carry around without feeling like a brick.

Under the hood, it’s packing the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 chip, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage. This combination allows it to handle a bunch of tabs, schoolwork, YouTube, and more without breaking a sweat. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 7 means it won’t choke on downloads, the webcam is decent enough for the occasional Zoom call, and battery life is around 15 hours.

The keyboard is a bit weird at first – it sits a bit higher than most people are used to. But otherwise, it’s fast, flexible, and just feels way nicer than most midrange Chromebooks.

Price: Around $600

Check prices on the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514

Other Notable Chromebooks We’ve Tested

While these didn’t make our top picks, they’re still worth considering:

• Acer Chromebook Spin 315: Comfortable to type on and handles basics well, though big bezels and limited charging options hold it back.
• Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus: Super sleek and light at just 2.58 pounds and under half an inch thick.
• Asus Chromebook Plus CX14: Performs better than models with Celeron CPUs and is currently on sale for $299.99 at Walmart.

How to Choose the Best Chromebook

Chromebooks offer a compelling alternative to traditional laptops, but they do have some limitations. They’re excellent for simple, everyday tasks but typically don’t have a lot of RAM or storage, so they’re not equipped to handle more resource-intensive tasks like gaming or video editing.

If you want something like a Windows or MacBook but cheaper, a Chromebook could be perfect. Just keep in mind they’ve got some limits. We’ve got a guide that compares Chromebooks and Windows laptops if you want to figure out what’s best for you.

Key Chromebook Features to Consider

Operating System

Chromebooks only run Chrome OS, which is pretty easy to use. You can’t put Windows or macOS on them – you’re stuck with Google’s setup. This simplicity is part of what makes Chromebooks so appealing to many users, but it’s also a limitation if you need specific software that only runs on other operating systems.

Processor

Shoot for a mid-range Chromebook if you can. They cost anywhere in the $400 to $600 range, and many of them come equipped with Intel Pentium, Intel Core i3, or AMD Ryzen 3 processors. These Chromebooks run the browser smoother and offer better overall performance. The fancier ones sometimes come with Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 chips, which are way more powerful. Then there’s the new Kompanio Ultra chips, which are more powerful and AI-ready.

RAM

Lots of Chromebooks come with just 4GB of RAM, which isn’t much. Since they’re all about the web, you need enough RAM to keep your tabs from lagging. If you can drop a bit more cash, you can grab a mid-range Chromebook with 8GB, which runs way smoother. For most users, 8GB of RAM is the sweet spot, offering good performance without breaking the bank.

FAQ

1. What is the best Chromebook?
   PCWorld thinks the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is the best all-around Chromebook. It’s got a solid Intel Core i5 processor, lots of ports, and handles everyday stuff really well. Basically, it’s a great pick if you want a reliable Chromebook without breaking the bank.

2. What is the best cheap Chromebook?
   PCWorld calls the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 Chromebook the best cheap pick. It’s lightweight and has solid battery life, so it’s good if you’re on a budget. Just remember, 4GB RAM means it’s not great for running lots of stuff at once.

3. What is the best Chromebook for gaming?
   The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is the best Chromebook for gaming. It’s got a big 16-inch 120Hz screen, handles cloud gaming pretty well, and has an Ethernet port for steady internet, which you need for stuff like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming.

4. What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop?
   A Chromebook’s just a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS instead of Windows or Mac. It’s mostly for web stuff like Google Drive and YouTube. Regular laptops are more powerful and can handle pretty much anything.

5. What is a Chromebook?
   A Chromebook is a laptop that runs Google’s Chrome OS.

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• Can Chromebooks get viruses? It’s complicated
• Lenovo’s new Chromebook has exclusive AI powers
• I’m a Chromebook power user. I swear by these 9 productivity tips
• 7 Chromebook features that make Google laptops ultra-secure

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Tags: #ChromebookReview #TechDeals #BestChromebooks2025 #StudentTech #BudgetLaptops #ChromeOS #LaptopGuide #PCWorld #TechReviews

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