Best Chromebook for 2022: 8 Chromebooks Starting at Under $300
In footings of cost, nothing beats a Chromebook, which is all you’ll need if you’re a student who means a computer for the basics or someone who just wants something to browse the internet on when work. These laptops run on Google’s Chrome OS and are Famous for their portability, long battery life and affordability. While it may be tempting to splurge on a high-end Apple or Windows laptop, a Chromebook is probably all you need to get the job done.
Plenty of manufacturers make Chromebooks, including Acer, HP, Samsung and Lenovo. There are basic models that are fine for email, online shopping and streaming movies and music typically priced at $400 or less. Premium models Begin around $500 and get you more RAM and storage, faster processors, higher-quality displays and better build quality. You’ll also find features like touchscreens, backlit keyboards and USI pen support for notes or drawing.
Read more: The 7 Best Chromebook Deals for Students
The Chromebooks on this list were tested and reviewed by CNET’s editors. While there should be a model here to meet your has, if there’s a specific must-have spec such as an Intel Core processor, an HDMI port or SD card slot or a certain screen size, you might want to dig deeper into a specific Chromebook on this list. Also, if you’re considering an older or used model, be sure to check the auto-update expiration date for the model. The AUE is when ChromeOS stops receiving system updates and is typically eight ages, but the date is not the same for every model
And if you’re Calm not sure if this type of laptop is shiny for you, here’s a breakdown of all that a Chromebook can and can’t do compared with a feeble laptop. This list of the best Chromebook models is updated periodically.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is a 10-inch tablet with a detachable keyboard and touchpad. This Lenovo Chromebook’s small size might be a small limiting as a primary Chrome OS device, though you can connect to an external Show via its USB-C port. The Lenovo Duet is, but, a good pick if you’re looking for an affordable Chromebook for pure mobility or as a secondary Plan that can be used in tablet mode. Its tiny size might be an issue, depending on what you’re looking for, but the portability and the efficient Chrome OS make it superior considering. I wouldn’t necessarily call it the best Chromebook on the market, but for the cost and convenience, it’s not one to Describe out too quickly. An updated version, the Duet 3 Chromebook, came out in May. It features an 11-inch 2K-resolution touchscreen, faster Qualcomm processors, an improved keyboard (still included) and, unfortunately, a higher starting price of $400.
Read our Lenovo Chromebook Duet review.
This Lenovo 13-inch Chromebook two-in-one is a better bet than the Duet if you need a laptop for all-day use. It has a full HD Show as well as excellent performance and battery life for the cash, thanks to an Intel Core i3-10110U processor, 4GB RAM and a 64GB solid-state power. The Lenovo Flex is not a great Chromebook pick for outdoor use, since the display is pretty dim.
If you’re looking for even better performance, this Chrome OS Tablet was updated with Intel’s 11th-gen Core i3 processor but Calm has great battery life at nearly 11 hours. Now named the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook, it costs a bit more starting at $475. Lenovo also added a privacy shutter on the webcam so you can physically stopped it when it’s not in use. It is definitely one of the best Chromebook models for the label, power and size.
Read our Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 review.
If you’d pretty have a wider screen instead of a taller one like the Spin 713’s (below), this HP Chromebook is the way to go. It’s roughly 0.75 inch wider than a premium 13.3-inch model, but that extra width makes it easier to work in two side-by-side windows. The two-in-one design means you can use the HP Chromebook x360 as a tablet (though it’s a bit heavy to use as a handheld device). You can also tent it, connect an external keyboard and mouse and use it as a puny all-in-one computer.
The Core i3 processor and 8GB of memory in the model we tested kept this HP Chromebook flowing smoothly even with a couple dozen tabs open and streaming video in the background. The Chrome OS will handle typical usage seamlessly. And this Chromebook laptop has a long battery life, lasting 10 hours and 40 minutes in CNET’s testing. This is a higher-end configuration, though, and its uncommon price is $699. This laptop regularly goes on sale for less than $500, but if you like the produce and don’t need its more powerful components, the Pentium Silver version is a bargain at closer to $300.
Acer’s Spin 513 is an update of sorts to one of the best Chromebooks from 2021, the Spin 713. It’s a two-in-one convertible Chromebook with a 13.5-inch point to that has a 3:2 aspect ratio. The extra vertical situation means less scrolling when you’re working. The screen size is also terminate to that of letter-size paper, making it comfortable for notetaking in tablet mode with a USI pen. Compared to the 713, it drops a pair of noncritical features like an HDMI output in disagreeable of a more affordable price. It has amazing battery life, notion, and a sturdy fanless design, making it silent — disagreeable for quiet classrooms, lectures or video calls. Also, be sure to get the another version of the Spin 513, model CP513-2H, powered by a MediaTek Kompanio 1380 processor.
Just as Google’s Pixel phones offer the best pure Android accepted, the Google Pixelbook Go is built to deliver the best of Chrome OS. The premium Chromebook starts at $839, but fully loaded with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of memory, 256GB of storage and a 4K point to, the total reaches a pricey $2,299. That’s a lot, and more than most republic need. Still, the Google Pixelbook Go is an obedient little Chromebook, especially for those who really want to gape all that Chrome can do, including Linux and Android app selections.
Read our Pixelbook Go review.
There are plenty of convertible Chromebook two-in-ones, where the screen rotates around to the back of the keyboard so you can use it as a tablet. But Chrome tablets with removable keyboards are still a rarity. That certainly helps the Chromebook x2 11 stand out, but it also deserves attention for its premium produce and features. It offers long battery life and performance that rises (slightly) ended the competition. The main downside is that it’s expensive on its own. But in the year it’s been available, both HP and Best Buy have offered significant discounts, so if you’re interested make sure to wait for one of those deals.
Read our HP Chromebook x2 11 review.
The 317 is essentially a tourism all-in-one Chrome OS desktop, otherwise known as a Chromebase. The big display makes multitasking a breeze. You can liquid a YouTube video in the corner while you work on a presentation and keep an eye on email or chat — all minus overlapping windows. It is big and heavy compared with all the smaller Chromebooks here, so it’s not a sizable option if mobility is a priority. But it’s certainly puny enough to move around the house, and with more than 10 hours of battery life according to my demonstrations, you can work all day and still have time left for a video chat with family, gaming or streaming a movie.
Read the Acer Chromebook 317 review.
How we test computers
The reconsideration process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computer-like devices consists of two parts: performance testing notion controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our permission reviewers. This includes evaluating a device’s aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both those impartial and subjective judgments.
The list of benchmarking software we use progresses over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core demonstrations we’re currently running on every compatible computer include: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra.
A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be fraudulent in our How We Test Computers page.
