The HP Dragonfly Pro Chromebook is the best Chromebook for 2023 that we’ve tested. It’s pricier than many, but it’s full-featured with a fast 12th-gen Intel Core i5 processor, a great display and a beautiful design that’s built to last. This is a great choice if you’re looking for a Chromebook as your only computing device. Google also just introduced a new category of devices called Chromebook Plus. These models ensure you get a certain level of hardware to take advantage of the latest ChromeOS features. We are just starting to test the first of these, but we expect to update this list soon with a Chromebook Plus pick.
Best Chromebook overall
Most Chromebooks fall below $500, and for general use, they’re all most people will need. However, Google’s ChromeOS is capable of doing much more than it could more than a decade ago when it first appeared. Consider this HP the MacBook Pro of Chromebooks: beautiful design, excellent display, keyboard and touchpad and enough processing power to take advantage of today’s ChromeOS features. And if you’re an Android phone user, it’s the perfect companion. But, it is $1,000, and for many, its features might be overkill.
Best Chromebook for a little less
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 is essentially a runner-up to the Dragonfly Pro. This premium two-in-one doesn’t stray far from its predecessor in terms of what it offers: sturdy design, nice-looking display, strong performance and long battery life. The main changes are an updated 13th-gen Intel Core i5 processor but Acer removed the garaged pen for use on the touchscreen display. It still works with USI pens, though. There are less expensive options, but if you want a Chromebook that’ll last for years, this is it. Keep an eye out for a sale on this one, too: It normally lists for around $700, but can often be found on sale for less than $600.
Best Chromebook for the family
The 317 is essentially a portable all-in-one ChromeOS desktop, otherwise known as a Chromebase. The big display makes multitasking a breeze. You can stream a YouTube video in the corner while you work on a presentation and keep an eye on email or chat all without overlapping windows. It is big and heavy compared with all the smaller Chromebooks here, so it’s not a great option if mobility is a priority. But it’s certainly small enough to move around the house, and with more than 10 hours of battery life according to my tests, you can work all day and still have time left for a video chat with the family, gaming or streaming a movie. The configuration we tested sells for around $500 but there is a version that meets our basic requirements for a Chromebook that is less than $300.
Best Chromebook tablet 2-in-1
The Lenovo Duet Chromebook (aka Chromebook Duet 3) is an awesome little 11-inch ChromeOS tablet with a detachable keyboard and touchpad. Its small size and performance aren’t ideal for full-time use. But the Chromebook Duet 3 is a good pick if you’re looking for an affordable ultraportable device to get some work done on the go, sketch or jot down notes in class, or do simple stuff like email, web browsing, gaming, reading and streaming video.
