Best Chromebooks of 2025

While some Chromebooks have high-end features, you’ll find many smart picks in our ratings that offer more modest specs than a traditional Mac or Windows laptop. That means you’re not as likely to see superfast processors or lots of storage space. The result? A laptop that sells for $500 or less. 

Chromebooks rely heavily on web apps like Gmail and Google Docs, which lessens the need for premium specs. And those web apps are often just as capable as traditional desktop apps. There are even web apps for popular software like Slack, Zoom, and the Microsoft Office suite.

So, a low-cost laptop that runs the software you need without much fuss—what’s the catch? Well, Chromebooks generally lack the muscle for serious photo and video editing. And they’re not typically known for their gaming prowess, although the continued development of streaming services like Nvidia GeForce Now and Xbox Cloud Gaming have led to the ability to play today’s biggest titles, as long as you have reasonably fast and stable WiFi.

The Chromebooks below deliver on the promise of a relatively inexpensive laptop powerful enough to handle everyday tasks, whether that’s writing a term paper, clearing out your email inbox, or spending a few hours on YouTube.

For more options, CR members can compare some 50 models in our Chromebook ratings.