Best cheap Chromebook for every budget in 2025
Chromebooks are considered a happy medium between price and power, but they have broken free from their initial label as budget-friendly laptops. With the arrival ofChromebook Plus, ChromeOS devices have emerged with better specs, enhanced AI features, and greater displays. Fortunately, they’re still available at various price points — offering a lot of bang for your buck.
If some of thebest Chromebooksare looking a tad pricey for your wallet, there are plenty of options below $500 that are well worth the investment. In fact, some will even include a coveted Chromebook Plus badge. Whether you’re seeking a machine to browse the web or a daily work driver, this budget Chromebook roundup will point you in the right direction.
Top cheap Chromebooks can fit all budgets
Even better when on sale
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook is a compact convertible featuring a modern rounded-edge design, fresh performance hardware, and a 12.2-inch FHD+ touch display. We’ve seen it drop as low as $179 from the regular $349, so be sure to buy it when it’s on sale for the best deal possible.
Lenovo is great at offering Chromebooks that punch above their asking price, and the new eighth-gen Lenovo Flex 3i Chromebook is now here to join the party. This generation has finally seen the display get a bump up to 12.2 inches in size, with a boosted 1920x1200 (FHD+) resolution to match the 16:10 aspect ratio. This being a convertible laptop, the screen is touch-enabled, and its 360-degree hinges let you rotate it around for use as a tablet. In our Lenovo Flex 3i Chromebook (Gen 8) review, we noted that “the banner upgrade for the Flex 3i (Gen 8) does not disappoint.”
Lenovo fit this larger display into a chassis that’s the same or slightly smaller than the old model and its 11-inch display, slimmer bezels, and a redesign that’s more in line with modern Lenovo devices — rounded corners, fresh colors — help keep it compact. Despite the size, the Flex 3i Chromebook has an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.2, a 3.5mm audio jack, a microSD card reader, and USB-C 3.2. The addition of a volume rocker and power button on the side makes it easy to control in tablet mode.
We abolished the bulky bezels, but at what cost?
The Chromebook is powered by a fresh Intel Atom N100 processor with four cores, four threads, and a clock speed up to 3.4GHz. That’s joined by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. It’s not going to beat the power available from modern Intel Core chips, but it will put up a strong fight against productivity tasks and web browsing. The screen also looks great when streaming movies and TV.
All “Plus” perks included
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i is a dependable workhorse boasting a 13th Gen Intel chip, a lengthy 10-hour battery life, and a flexible 2-in-1 form factor. Capable of juggling multiple tabs and windows, this 14-inch laptop also includes all the perks of Chromebook Plus. It’s far from bad forjustunder $500, but it would be more impressive if its display got the upgrade it deserved.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i has long been among the best Chromebooks you can get for the cost, and the Chromebook Plus version has only made it a more capable machine. Rocking a 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB for storage, it packs enough power to switch between multiple tabs and windows without hiccups — ideal for students and daily tasks. It doesn’t have quite enough juice for gaming, but as an everyday laptop, expect to scroll, work, and stream with ease.
Its 2-in-1 form factor allows for multiple use cases, including tablet and tent mode, and while it’s a tad heavy for its 14-inch size, it’s still travel-friendly to take around wherever you go. The Chromebook will also last long enough. With up to 10 hours of battery life (5 to 6 hours with display brightness at max), it can get through a full workday before needing a charge. With the “Plus” perks it boasts, such as better specs, AI features, and an updated 1080p webcam, it’s hard to go wrong with this versatile Chromebook that comes in at just under $500.
This is the embodiment of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
This Flex 5i isn’t much of an upgrade over its previous non-Plus model, sporting the same 14-inch touchscreen with a 1920 x 1200 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, and 300-nit brightness. While it does the job, it would have flourished with a 1440p display and increased brightness. Still, that’s just nitpicking, as it’s hard to fault a Chromebook that’s already nailed its design, features, and price. If you can push your budget, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus won’t disappoint.
Ultra cheap Chromebook
Acer’s Chromebook Spin 311 isn’t the biggest or most powerful option here, but it is certainly one of the most affordable. This is a great convertible option if you’re a more casual user or are looking for something for the kids.
Acer’s Chromebook 311 isn’t as flashy as some of the other options in this budget roundup, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth checking out by those who want to spend as little as possible. This 11.6-inch Chromebook is extremely portable thanks to a thin and light chassis, yet it holds onto USB-C, USB-A, and 3.5mm audio ports. There’s even a lock slot if you’d like to attach the laptop to a desk in the office.
The 11.6-inch display has a 1366x768 resolution, which actually looks fairly clean at this size. There’s not much room for multitasking, but it looks good when browsing the web or streaming media. The laptop is powered by a MediaTek MT8183C CPU with eight cores, accompanied by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. This isn’t considered a heavy-hitting combination of performance hardware, but it’ll get your productivity work done without issue.
One of the best budget Chromebooks it’s possible to buy
Acer claims about 15 hours of battery life from a charge; even if you hit half of that, you’re still almost all the way through a workday. And if you need to have a video conference, a 720p webcam with HDR support is standing by. This should also be agreat Chromebook for kids, thanks to its portable convertible design and hardy build. Keep in mind that our top pick often drops to less than $200, essentially making this pick obsolete.
Sturdy with a fine display
The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a solid bet for anyone after a solid 14-inch laptop with a great-looking IPS LCD panel and an affordable price tag. Its touchpad falls flat, but its overall sturdy build quality, impressive 10-hour battery life, and great specs, including a capable Intel Core i3-N305 chip and up to 512GB storage, more than makeup for its minor faults.
If you’re after a 14-inch laptop that packs a decent punch for its price, the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 will take you far. Equipped with an Intel i3-N305 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a rarely seen 512GB of storage for a Chromebook, it breezes through ChomeOS with ample multitasking prowess. With a price tag starting at $350, it boasts some impressive specs.
Its 14-inch IPS LCD touchscreen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio is a highlight, making it great for scrolling through websites and streaming shows. Despite its all-plastic build, it passes Acer’s military drop-test standard, meaning it’s still a hard nut to crack. While its overall design is simple but effective and its keyboard is comfortable to type on, its touchpad is a letdown. Expect uneven clicks and a cheap feel, but this can be remedied by using one of the best mice for Chromebooks instead.
The “Plus” features and a one-year subscription to Google One with Gemini Advanced are a huge bonus. You can expect Magic Editor (which works hand-in-hand with the Chromebook’s touchscreen), Help Me Write, AI Wallpaper, and plenty more handy tools. Couple that with its efficient battery life, lasting up to 10 hours, and the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 does an impressive job for the price it’s set at.
Acer’s trademark Plus power meets AI, but how much value does it add?
Speaking of, costs can vary for different SKU models of this Chromebook, but we found that the more affordable models at around $350 to $400 offer just the right amount of value.
More screen real estate
The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a solid choice for those who require a large screen and don’t mind missing out on convertible versatility. Thanks to its Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, it can manage a relatively heavy workload.
If the Asus Chromebook Plus 514 isn’t big enough, try the next step up. The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 has a Core i3-1215U chip, 8GB of speedy LPDDR5x-4800MHz RAM, and 128GB of flash storage. For light users, the base i3 should have plenty of power for your daily browsing. It will even allow you to play games like Genshin Impact without trouble. Altogether, you may expect the system to handle a relatively heavy workload with multitasking.
The 15.6-inch display offers plenty of screen real estate for said multitasking, and you get a 1920 x 1080 (FHD) resolution. The screen is not touch-enabled, which matters less for a non-convertible device. The 16:9 screen is great for watching your favorite shows, but it tops out at 250 nits, which is quite low. You may struggle a bit to see the display in bright environments.
Acer claims the battery can last for about 10 hours, which proved to be accurate in our review. However, you can expect a couple of hours less if you have to crank the brightness up and stream content all day.
A speedy budget laptop that will meet the majority of needs
The top-firing speakers flank the keyboard, you get a quality webcam above the display, and there are many ports for yourfavorite Chromebook accessories. Because this is a Plus device, you also get access to some perks like Magic Eraser in the Google Photos app, as well as free trials and discounts on popular editing software.
Oversized display to boost productivity
The Asus Chromebook CX17 is perfect for anyone who isn’t too demanding of their hardware but would enjoy a spacious 17-inch display for web browsing, or watching your favorite shows. It offers good battery life, and a Full HD display, allowing you to see all the details of whatever you’re viewing.
The Asus Chromebook CX17 is for those who want a big display to view all of their favorite content, and may not want to spend a lot to get it. If you fall into that category, you will be quite pleased with this $299 Chromebook. It features a large, 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 LCD, allowing you to get the most out of your streaming services or web browsing. It does top out at 250 nits, so your outdoor viewing experience won’t be great.
With an Intel Celeron N4500 processor and 4GB of RAM, it’s not the most powerful Chromebook. The dual-core processor and 4GB of RAM should be sufficient for those lighter users. It also comes with 64GB of eMMC storage, which is sufficient for a device of this caliber. If you stick to the basics such as web browsing, consuming content, or writing documents, then the performance of this machine should be plenty. It should also play lighter games on the Play Store as well.
Thanks to its large size, you won’t be hard-pressed to find any ports. You get a headphone jack, two USB-A 3.2 ports, and two USB-C 3.2 ports. You also get solid battery life. Asus claims 10 hours of runtime, which is plenty to get through a typical work or school day. Rounding out its specs list, you also get a decent webcam, and Wi-Fi 6 onboard.
Affordable mid-size Chromebook
The HP Chromebook 14 is an affordable 14-inch laptop that hits the sweet spot for many people; not too big and not too small. It has a sleek design with great keyboard (flanked by speakers), and its battery will go a long time without needing a charge.
The HP Chromebook 14 is a great middle-ground option for those who don’t want something too small or too large. Its sub-$300 regular price isn’t bad either, sitting below some of thebest HP Chromebooks. Its sleek design with a silver finish is offset nicely by the Jet Black keyboard, which provides comfy typing. Below is a relatively large touchpad with accurate tracking, and flanking the keys are dual B&O speakers that provide unmuffled sound even if the Chromebook is sitting in your lap.
The 14-inch display’s 1366x768 (HD) resolution won’t look as crisp as 1080p, but this is still more than enough for younger children and students to handle productivity work. The same goes for the Celeron N4500 processor, 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage, which will put up a strong fight against word processing, streaming, email, and other regular tasks. Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5 are on board to handle wireless connectivity, and a 720p webcam is installed above the display for video conferencing.
The laptop is powered by a sizeable 47Wh battery that HP says can run for up to 11 hours. That number will, no doubt, come down with regular use, but you should still expect hours of life on a charge. Ports include USB-A, two USB-C (with one used for charging), a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack.
This Chromebook often enjoys a deep sale at HP’s official site, and we’ve seen it drop to $200 even outside of huge sales events. It’s affordable even at full price, but we recommend waiting for a good deal to save as much money as possible.
High-end 2-in-1 Chromebook
This 2-in-1 Chromebook features an 11-inch touch display with 2000x1200 (2K) resolution and 400 nits brightness, and it comes with a pen for inking. It’s not the most powerful laptop, but it is one of the most versatile thanks to its detachable design.
Chromebooks come in all shapes and sizes, but perhaps the most versatile is the detachable 2-in-1. Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 3 is such a device, centered around an 11-inch tablet with a 2000x1200 (2K) resolution touch display. Its 400 nits brightness, anti-fingerprint finish, and TÜV Low Blue Light certification make it very easy to look at all day, whether you’re using it as a tablet or as a notebook with the keyboard and touchpad attached.
It even supports inking with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. A built-in stand on the back can fold out to prop up the display, also turning it into a notebook when the keyboard is included. In our Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 review, Gadgets Editor Taylor Kerns remarks that it’s a “tremendous value” thanks to its versatility and asking price.
An affordable tablet with a good bundled keyboard? Yes, please
Performance won’t be quite as rock-solid as other top options in this roundup, but the Snapdragon 7c (Gen 2) will still put up a strong fight against your daily workload. There’s a decent amount of storage space available on the 128GB eMMC chip, and up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM will help with multitasking. This is a super nimble laptop that truly lives up to the 2-in-1 naming, and it’s a perfect low-cost option for those who like to split time between a tablet and a notebook.
Finding a cheap and affordable Chromebook to match your budget
The sky’s the limit if you’re looking for a quality Chromebook with a $500 budget. You’ll find great specs and even 2-in-1 devices well below that price point, and you’ll often see many of our picks on sale with significant discounts. Whatever you choose, expect a smooth ChromeOS experience with these machines.
When it comes to nailing everyday tasks on the cheap, the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3i (Gen 8) is hard to beat at its price. Portable, flexible, and boasting an excellent 12.2-inch FHD+ touch display, this convertible laptop is primed to be the go-to Chromebook for light productivity work, web browsing, email, and streaming. Its Intel N100 chip, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage means it isn’t hard to push it to its limits, but it’s not expected to when it can be nabbed for as low as $179 on sale.
If you require more power under the hood, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is up to the task. Featuring all the perks of “Plus,” an efficient 13th Gen Intel i3-1315U processor with 8GB of RAM and 128GB for storage, and a long-lasting 10-hour battery life, it’s one of thebest Chromebooks for studentsfor good reason. It will breeze through multiple tabs and windows, and its 2-in-1 design makes it hugely versatile. For its asking price, you’ll be getting your money’s worth.
For under $200, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 will do more than the bare minimum. Its MediaTek MT8183C CPU with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage doesn’t sound like much, and its 11.6-inch HD display with noticeable bezels looks old, but it’s more than capable of getting general tasks done. Throw in its impressive battery life, compact design, and build quality, and you have yourself a neat, personal machine that makes for a greatChromebook for kids.
Made a decision? Be sure to help your Chromebook flourish with thebest Chromebook accessories, so you can make the most of your purchase.
The best option for many
Lenovo’s IdeaPad Flex 3i (Gen 8) keeps getting better as its price drops. Initially set at $349, it has been discounted almost constantly since release; we’ve now seen it hit $179. As long as you aren’t looking for a powerhouse, it should prove to be a nimble and versatile laptop for lighter duties.
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