October 1, 2023

The perfect Chromebooks aren’t simply laptops that run a number of Google apps anymore. Chromebooks can cowl all kinds of computing wants now, and a superb Chrome OS laptop computer or two-in-one might be extra helpful than a mediocre Home windows or MacOS laptop computer. That’s why our decide for the very best Chromebook of 2023 is the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5, which is among the best-built, longest-lasting, and best-performinc Chromebooks you should purchase.

The perfect Chromebooks from corporations like Acer, Lenovo, and Asus are recognized to ship good worth. The message that many individuals really need good Chromebooks — slightly than simply low-cost ones — has gotten via to producers. Many are round $500 or $600, although there are good choices within the larger and decrease ranges as nicely. The additional cash goes a great distance towards getting one thing you’ll be pleased with.

For the primary time, the standard of the very best Chromebooks on this vary has been constant. There are such a lot of similarities between the choices from Asus, Lenovo, Google, HP, Dell, and Samsung {that a} conspiracy-minded particular person may recommend they’re all sourcing their parts from the identical manufacturing unit. That’s nice information if you happen to’re comparability procuring; the vast majority of this record can be good buys if you’ll find them at a reduction. They’ll even rival among the finest laptops, finest funds laptops, and finest pupil laptops in the marketplace.

We’ve chosen the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 for buyers on a funds. Different picks for the very best Chromebooks of 2023 embody the Google Pixelbook Go and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2.

What most consumers need in the very best Chromebook are probably the identical issues they need in any laptop computer: a superb keyboard, strong construct high quality, lengthy battery life, a pleasant display screen, and sufficient energy to do the belongings you need. Extra Chromebooks can meet these {qualifications} than ever earlier than, however these are those that rise above the remainder.

The Finest Chromebook

The Asus Chromebook CX5 is the very best Chromebook of 2023.
Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales

1. Asus Chromebook Flip CX5

Finest Chromebook of 2023

People could understandably balk on the Chromebook Flip CX5’s worth, but it surely actually is that good. It’s sturdy sufficient to resist every kind of jolts and jostles in a backpack or briefcase, and has a novel velvety texture that’s very nice to carry. Add a large port choice, a easy and comfy keyboard, and a vivid show, and also you’ve received a chassis that may maintain its personal towards loads of midrange Home windows laptops. 

The CX5’s efficiency is equally spectacular. We by no means as soon as heard its fan in our testing, even when pushing a workload that slows most units down. Battery life is sort of passable and simply lasted us all day. And the CX5 delivered among the loudest audio we’ve ever heard from a Chromebook. Whereas the CX5 isn’t an ideal gadget, it’s at the moment the very best Chromebook you should purchase. Learn our Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 evaluation.

The Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 laid out flat on a gray fabric bench. The screen displays The Verge homepage.

$649

The Asus Chromebook CX5 gives a terrific package deal for a little bit of a steep worth.

If the Chomebook Duet isn’t sufficient, the Chromebook Removable CM3 brings some new perks to the removable kind issue, for an additional price.
Picture by Monica Chin / The Verge

2. Asus Chromebook Removable CM3

Finest removable Chromebook

The Chromebook Removable CM3 is Asus’s try to compete with Lenovo’s extremely praised Chromebook Duet. Just like the Duet, the CM3 is a ten.5-inch, 16:10 Chrome OS pill with a cloth cowl, a kickstand, and a keyboard that pops on and off. It’s a bit dearer than the Duet, but additionally has a number of further options. 

One distinctive perk is that the kickstand folds a number of methods: You may fold it the lengthy strategy to stand the pill up like a laptop computer, or fold it the quick method and stand the pill up horizontally. We’re undecided how sensible this performance really is, but it surely’s there if in case you have a use case in thoughts. 

The CM3 additionally comes with a built-in USI stylus, and roomy keys with a shocking quantity of journey. However the factor we discovered most spectacular was the battery life: We averaged near 13 hours of steady work on the gadget. 

The CM3 gained’t be the very best Chromebook for everybody: It solely has two ports (one USB-C and one audio jack) and its MediaTek processor was a bit sluggish in comparison with dearer choices. However if you happen to’re in search of a convertible Chrome OS gadget and discover that the Duet doesn’t fairly fit your wants, you’re probably the CM3’s audience. Learn our Asus Chromebook Removable CM3 evaluation.

Best Chromebook 2023: Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3

$370

The Asus Chromebook Removable CM3 is the very best removable laptop computer with a built-in pen and removable display screen. It gives a novel dual-folding kickstand, making it doable to fold the pill so it stands up like a laptop computer or stands up horizontally.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 has a slim and moveable design with a vibrant and sharp 11-inch display screen.
Picture by Monica Chin / The Verge

3. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

Finest low-cost Chromebook

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a superb, tiny laptop computer for funds buyers. It comes with a magnetic removable keyboard that’s a breeze to pop on and off. The display screen additionally helps USI styluses, although a stylus shouldn’t be included within the worth. The keyboard is included within the worth, nevertheless, as is the magnetic again cowl and kickstand.

Day-to-day, this laptop computer is sort of usable for mild work and leisure. It has a pointy, vibrant 11-inch display screen and a surprisingly comfy keyboard and touchpad. The battery life is near all-day. However the actual draw of this gadget is its portability — it’s simply 2.09 kilos with the keyboard hooked up, making it fairly handy to hold round and whip out to make use of on the go.

There are a number of compromises: there are solely two ports (and no headphone jack), and the processor will get sluggish if you happen to try a heavier multitasking workload. However Chrome OS followers who desire a moveable gadget for enjoyable and multimedia can’t do higher than this Chromebook at this worth. Learn our Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 evaluation.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 in tablet mode.

$269

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a wonderful 11-inch funds gadget. The value consists of the keyboard and kickstand.

The ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook is a premium Chromebook for grown-ups.
Picture by Monica Chin / The Verge

4. Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook

Finest premium Chromebook

Many trendy Chromebooks are oriented in direction of youngsters and college students, however not this one. The C13 Yoga Chromebook is a sturdy, dear, convertible Chromebook for grown-ups. It’s a part of Lenovo’s famend ThinkPad enterprise line, and has every kind of ThinkPad perks together with a crimson Trackpoint, discrete touchpad clickers, a fingerprint sensor, a webcam shutter, and an aluminum design. Put this Chromebook subsequent to any variety of Home windows ThinkPads, and we would not have the ability to decide it out. 

The C13 can also be distinctive in that it’s the primary Chromebook to incorporate AMD’s Ryzen 3000 Cellular C-series processors, that are marketed particularly for Chromebooks. The chips run every kind of applications — even cell video games — fairly easily. We do want the battery life was a bit higher — we solely averaged simply over six hours on one cost. We averaged seven and a half hours from our prime decide, the Chromebook Spin 713, and loads of the units right here break eight hours with no drawback. Learn our Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook evaluation.

The ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook in tent mode. The screen displays a grid of Android apps.

$322

The Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook is a convertible, premium Chromebook with a strong, sturdy construct that targets adults and professionals.

The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook is an efficient Chromebook for midrange buyers.
Pictures by Monica Chin / The Verge

5. Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook

A Chromebook for midrange buyers

The Lenovo Flex 5 seems to be so much nicer than its sub-$400 worth may point out. It’s constructed to resist every kind of jolts and jostles in a backpack or briefcase, but additionally has a easy soft-touch texture that’s nice to carry. Add a modern backlit keyboard, a bodily webcam shutter, and front-facing audio system, and also you’ve received a chassis with hallmarks of a way more costly gadget.

You get another perks as nicely. The Flex 5 has one of many higher keyboards I’ve ever used on a Chromebook, not to mention a Chromebook at a midrange worth level. It additionally has a helpful port choice together with a microSD reader and a USB-C port on all sides, in addition to a crisp 1920 x 1080 contact show.

The one caveat is that the Flex 5 has considerably disappointing battery life, averaging simply over 5 and a half hours in our testing. For those who’ll be utilizing the gadget whilst you’re out and about, you’ll need to be sure you convey the 45W charger with you. Learn our Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook evaluation.

The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook in tent mode, angled to the left. The screen displays a grid of Chrome OS icons on a blue wavy background.

$300

The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook is a superb package deal at an inexpensive worth, with a backlit keyboard that’s one of many higher ones we’ve used on a Chromebook.

For college kids or anybody in search of a strong gadget, the HP Chromebook x360 14c is an efficient decide.
Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

6. HP Chromebook x360 14c

Finest Chromebook for video conferencing

For those who’re in search of an inexpensive Chromebook with robust efficiency and a strong construct, the Chromebook x360 14c is an choice for you. No one does laptop computer builds fairly like HP, and this convertible Chromebook is not any exception.

Sitting comfortably within the $500-$600 vary the gadget is powered by Intel Core processors (our take a look at unit had an i3), and it ran our normal workplace workload with out concern. We noticed little warmth and little fan noise all through. Battery life was acceptable, although we didn’t fairly get a full day. We even discovered the webcam to be surprisingly good.

The first disadvantage price contemplating is the dim display screen – it maxes out at 250 nits, and we needed to take care of fairly a little bit of glare in brighter areas. It’s additionally removed from essentially the most moveable product on this record, weighing in at 3.35 kilos. However in the end, it is a nice-looking and nice-feeling gadget that’s significantly good for video conferencing. Learn our HP Chromebook x360 14c evaluation.

The HP Chromebook x360 14c open on a gray bench seen from above and to the right. The screen displays The Verge homepage.

$400

The Chromebook x360 14c boasts a terrific webcam and HP’s signature premium design. The audio system are among the finest you will get on a Chromebook, making it a superb selection for video calls. On the draw back, the battery life is simply okay (although not horrible) and the display screen is a bit dim.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is the very best Chromebook for individuals who want uncooked energy.
Picture by Becca Farsace / The Verge

7. Acer Chromebook Spin 714

Finest Chromebook for energy customers

With a hefty Intel processor and Thunderbolt 4 assist, Acer’s Chromebook Spin 714 is among the strongest Chromebooks you should purchase. It’s lightning quick, producing little noise and warmth even below pretty intense skilled workloads.

The keyboard is superb with a cushty, quiet really feel, and good backlighting. There’s even an HDMI port, which you don’t see on a skinny Chromebook day-after-day. It’s a well-built gadget as nicely, with knowledgeable end appropriate for an workplace setting. The primary drawbacks to think about are that the Spin’s audio system aren’t nice, and the battery life is a bit decrease than final yr’s mannequin’s was. Learn our Acer Chromebook Spin 714 evaluation.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 open on a table. The screen displays a purple painted background.

$729

The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 gives quick Intel processors and Thunderbolt 4 assist. Whereas it’s not as spectacular as its predecessor’s, significantly in relation to battery life, it’s a robust laptop computer with good perks like an HDMI port and garaged stylus.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is certainly one of our favourite Chromebooks of 2023.
Picture by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

8. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5

Finest OLED Chromebook

The Chromebook Duet 5 is a compact convertible gadget with an OLED display screen. It’s thinner and lighter than most Chromebooks on the market, and its again cowl doubles as a kickstand. And it’s typically out there for below $400, making it one of many most cost-effective OLED units you should purchase.

The OLED show makes for fairly pleasant viewing, and the removable keyboard is nice as nicely with wonderful spacing and satisfying suggestions. Efficiency (our unit was powered by the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2) was snappy, and the gadget might deal with our normal workplace workload with no concern. However the standout function was battery life: We noticed between 10 and 12 hours to a cost, even when doing pretty demanding duties like Zoom calls and high-resolution YouTube movies.

There are a number of unlucky omissions: there’s no fingerprint sensor, and there’s no included stylus (although one is supported). However we predict Chrome OS followers who need a terrific display screen for multimedia viewing can’t do higher than this Chromebook at this worth. 

Best Chromebook 2023: Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5

$499

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 comes with a beautiful 13.3-inch Full HD OLED touchscreen and lengthy battery life however lacks biometric authentication.

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