Best cheap Chromebook for every budget in 2023

Buying a quality Chromebook can be difficult, especially if you're shopping for a more affordable option that still performs well and offers some enticing features. While Chromebooks have come a long way since their inception — with many now sporting much better specs, high-end displays, added security features, and LTE connectivity — there are still plenty of duds out there to avoid.

The best Chromebooks available today vary quite a bit in price, but the sweet spot seems to be around the $300 to $350 mark if you're looking to get the best value possible. Thankfully, there are even Chromebooks more affordable than that, which we've also included in this roundup to be sure we hit all budgets out there.

Our favorite cheap Chromebooks can fit all budgets

Lenovo's Chromebook Flex 5i is the perfect option for those who need to get down to business with some extra performance potential. Despite its attractive pricing — which helps make it the best Lenovo Chromebook — it features an 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU, 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and a 128GB M.2 PCIe SSD. Altogether, this hardware will crush productivity even if you're multitasking and connecting multiple monitors. It also has a sizable 51Wh battery that Lenovo claims can last up to 10 hours on a charge.

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i

This is a convertible laptop, meaning you can rotate the display around 360 degrees for tent, stand, and tablet modes. The screen has a 1920×1080 (FHD) resolution, which looks quite crisp at 13.3 inches, and the touch functionality makes it a breeze to use in other modes besides a standard notebook. Dual 2W speakers flank the keyboard and pump out solid audio, and the front-facing 720p webcam even has a shutter for added privacy.

This budget option cuts fewer corners than many other Chromebooks rounded up here, and anyone who wants something with a ton of great features will not be disappointed. It's lightweight, built well, and might be your next Chromebook once you see the competitive pricing.

Source: Acer

Acer Chromebook Spin 311

Best value

The best deal you'll find on a worthy 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.

Pros

• Comfy low-profile keyboard
• Price is very right
• Solid battery life
• Compact 11.6-inch build

Cons

• 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage
• HD display resolution

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 1366×768 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.

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.

Source: Lenovo

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3i (Gen 8, 12.2″)

Premium pick

New convertible in the budget range

Lenovo's IdeaPad Flex 3i Chromebook is one of the newest options in this roundup, featuring a modern rounded-edge design, fresh performance hardware, and a 12.2-inch FHD+ touch display. If you'd like a versatile laptop and don't mind spending about $350, it should be a top pick.

Pros

• Versatile and modern convertible design
• Upgraded 12.2-inch FHD+ touch display
• Quad-core Intel Atom CPU

Cons

• Slow eMMC storage
• Only 4GB RAM

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 1920×1200 (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.

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— helps 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 make it easy to control in tablet mode.

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.

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go

Best mobility

4G LTE connectivity available

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go is a thin and light option perfect for those who travel often. It's available with 4G LTE connectivity through Verizon or T-Mobile, allowing you to stay connected even when you're outside of Wi-Fi range.

Pros

• Super light and nimble
• LTE connectivity available
• Generous port selection
• Great price

Cons

• 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage are underwhelming
• HD display resolution

Those often on the road, out of the home or office, might want a Chromebook that can stay connected to the web everywhere with 4G LTE. Samsung's Galaxy Chromebook Go, one of our picks for the overall best Samsung Chromebooks, is a relatively affordable option with the coveted mobile broadband compatibility. And even if you don't want the LTE coverage (available through major providers like Verizon and T-Mobile), there is a model with only Wi-Fi 6 available.

Either way, the Galaxy Chromebook Go is a lightweight and nimble laptop with a 14-inch HD display, Intel Celeron N4500 CPU, 4GB of LPDDR4x RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage. This set of hardware isn't going to set any speed records, but this laptop is best employed as a mobile companion to have when your phone just won't do. Word processing, email, and web browsing are all a breeze, and solid battery life keeps you going for hours on end. This well-made Chromebook is ideal for those who are always on the move.

Acer Chromebook 317

Best 17-inch

Oversized display to boost productivity

Acer's Chromebook 317 focuses on delivering an oversized 17.3-inch display to better handle multitasking. The 1080p resolution is also great when watching TV or movies, and the top-firing speakers provide full audio.

Pros

• Massive 17.3-inch FHD display
• Lots of ports
• Solid battery life
• Wi-Fi 6

Cons

• Not as much power as an Intel Core CPU
• Bit bulky for frequent travel

Many Chromebooks focus on portability with a compact build and smaller display, but not the Acer Chromebook 317. This pick for oversized laptop has a 17.3-inch IPS display with a 1920×1080 (FHD) resolution, providing you with a ton of screen real estate to better handle multitasking. It also looks great while watching TV and movies. The larger chassis provides space along either side of the keyboard for speakers; they remain unmuffled even with the Chromebook in your lap. Port selection is fairly generous despite not having native video out, though the dual USB-C ports can be used for this purpose. It has two USB-A, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio combo jack.

The Intel Celeron N4500 CPU won't match up to the more powerful Intel Core chips in some of the other laptops, but it will still easily handle productivity work. You also have to keep the very affordable price in mind when looking at the specs. The 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC aren't bad when the laptop is commonly listed at around $200. If you'd like to go all-out with a massive display and want something more affordable, this should be a great pickup. Be sure to check out more great Acer Chromebooks if this isn't quite the size you want.

HP Chromebook 14

Best 14-inch

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.

Pros

• Top-firing speakers flank the keyboard
• Comfy keyboard and sizable touchpad
• Good battery life
• Decent port selection

Cons

• Celeron CPU not as powerful as Intel Core
• HD display resolution

The HP Chromebook 14 is a great middle-ground option for those who don't want something too small or too large, and its sub-$300 regular price isn't bad either. 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 1366×768 (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.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

Best 11-inch

High-end 2-in-1 Chromebook

This 2-in-1 Chromebook features an 11-inch touch display with 2000×1200 (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.

Pros

• Gorgeous 2K touch display
• Super versatile 2-in-1 design
• Great price
• Up to 8GB of RAM

Cons

• Snapdragon 7c (Gen 2) CPU might not have enough power for heavy users

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 2000×1200 (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.

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.

Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3

Best everyday 2-in-1

Versatile detachable design

The Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 comes at you with a 10.5-inch FHD+ touch display and a garaged stylus pen for quick and easy inking. The detachable design can be used in horizontal or vertical modes thanks to the two-way stand, and the aluminum design is overall quite fetching.

Pros

• Garaged USI stylus included
• Keyboard has 1.5mm key travel
• Vertical or horizontal stand orientations
• Excellent cameras

Cons

• Not as powerful as some other options
• 10.5-inch display might not be big enough for some
• Not many ports

Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 3 is our favorite 2-in-1 within the budget range, but when it's not on sale it can push the limits of the affordable category. The Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 is another 2-in-1 laptop with separate keyboard and touchpad, and it can regularly be shopped at a cheaper price than Lenovo's awesome alternative. It makes the cut as the best 2-in-1 in our roundup of great Asus Chromebooks, and it competes well with other brands.

The Asus CM3 has a 10.5-inch touch display with a 1920×1200 (FHD+) resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio, and there's a garaged USI stylus included for easy and convenient inking. The tablet's stand is designed to work in both horizontal and vertical orientations, and the aluminum design is gorgeous. The keyboard is comfortable thanks to 1.5mm key travel, it has 8MP (rear) and 2MP (front) webcams for a clear picture, and the microphone effectively picks up voices while conferencing.

The MediaTek MT8183 CPU is paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage, which is on the light side in terms of performance. As long as you don't need to tackle any heavy tasks, this should be a solid fit with long battery life.

Finding a cheap and affordable Chromebook to match your budget

Any of the above Chromebooks will deliver a smooth Chrome OS experience on the cheap, and you can expect to pay somewhere around $300 or less for most. Some have a higher starting price but are often seen on sale with a deep discount, which we've noted.

If you are looking for something that will land you the most for your dollar, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a top pick. We reviewed a similar Spin 311 model and were very impressed with the battery life, compact design and build quality, and comfortable keyboard. Considering it costs less than most of the other picks in this roundup, you can be sure you're not overspending.

Lenovo's ThinkPad C14 Chromebook was a previous premium pick, but its poor availability as stock is cleared out has bumped it out of the running. Lenovo recently launched the new Flex 3i Chromebook (Gen 8) as a 12-inch convertible, and it has taken over that premium spot. It has a fresh design with rounded edges, it has an FHD+ touch display, and its Intel Atom N100 CPU and long battery life pack a very useful punch.

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook

Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 3 is another contender for the premium pick. It's a gorgeous 2-in-1 device that's as comfortable acting as a tablet as a notebook laptop. It has a high-res 2000×1200 touch display, Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 CPU for snappy performance, 128GB of eMMC storage, and up to 8GB of RAM.

Our top pick, however, is the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i. It's well within the budget range yet offers up a speedy 128GB M.2 PCIe SSD, 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM, 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 CPU, and a 13.3-inch FHD touch display. Our Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i review noted that its snappy performance, solid battery life, and tactile keyboard would appeal to plenty of people looking for a more rounded Chromebook with fewer blind spots. Its convertible build makes it more versatile than a clamshell; its build quality is excellent, and it doesn't cost nearly as much as you might think. It's also one of our top picks for the best Chromebooks for students.

If you decide to pick up a new Chromebook, you might want one of the best Chromebook chargers, too. They're generally more compact, can charge more devices, and will let the charger that comes with your new laptop serve as a backup. And to round things out, our collection of the best Chromebook accessories can help you get the perfect setup.

Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i

Best overall

Best budget Chromebook for most people

Lenovo's Chromebook Flex 5i continues to be a top affordable option. It's fast and capable thanks to the Core i3 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD, plus its 13.3-inch FHD touch display is hard to beat in terms of size and functionality. This should be your first stop if you want the best affordable Chromebook.