Best Chromebook 2021: Our Top Picks For November

Published: 16 Nov 2021 3:55 PM +00:00 Updated: 20 Jun 2023 3:10 PM +00:00

If you're on the lookout for the best Chromebook to upgrade your current laptop, then we've got you covered right here.

Chromebooks present a versatile, and oftentimes affordable solution to some of the best 'traditional' laptops out there, but with so many to choose from it can be a little tricky to decide.

We've selected some of our top picks based on specs, reviews, features they offer, and of course our own Chromebook guides to help you with your search.

So whether you're looking for a cracking convertible option like the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 or you're on the hunt for a brilliant large-screen choice like the ASUS 15.6" Chromebook CX1500CNA HD, we've got you covered right here.

And new Chromebooks seem to be flying in from all angles, so if you're interested in checking out something new, then the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go LTE is also available now.

Let's get to it!

Best Chromebook

Best Chromebook - Google Pixelbook Go

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We think the Google Pixelbook Go is the one of the best Chromebooks for most people and ticks a fair few boxes that make it an excellent all-rounder.

This is thanks to a choice of 8th-gen Intel Core processors, ranging from an M3-8100Y at the lower end to a Core i7-8500Y on the most tricked out model. These should provide speed in droves for the most demanding tasks that you'll be putting this Chromebook through.

In addition, you'll also find a choice of either 64GB, 128GB or a 256GB SSD which can provide plenty of speed when fetching your files.

The display on offer looks pretty good too, with the base model and mid-range offering utilising a Full HD 13.3" panel that's an ideal size for surfing and watching videos. If you do go for the top-end model, though, you'll see that this Pixelbook Go features a sharper 4K panel.

This particular Chromebook also features thin bezels and a premium-looking shell in a sharp black colour, which makes it one of the better-looking Chromebooks on the market today.

Best Convertible Chromebook - Acer Chromebook Spin 713

best Chromebook, product image of a silver convertible Chromebook — Image Credit: Acer

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For a convertible Chromebook candidate, look no further than the Acer Chromebook Spin 713.

Where this particular offering wins is not only on the fact it can be flipped over and turned into a tablet but features a nifty 13.5" Quad HD display with a 3:2 aspect ratio.

What this allows for is a taller screen that's perfect for both office applications and binging on Netflix.

Moreover, the Quad HD IPS panel also looks to be incredibly bright with a quoted 400 nits, and offer great viewing angles. The fact it's a touchscreen also makes this a great Chromebook for creatives.

As for processors, there's the option of a suite of 10th or 11th Intel Core choices with the Spin 713 which will be rather speedy indeed, especially for ChromeOS, an operating system built on its simplicity.

Furthermore, storage options are spacious with either 128GB or 256GB offerings, although it is worth noting that the base model utilises eMMC storage, but there's the option of an SSD for all the others.

Best Large Screen Chromebook Under 300 - ASUS 15.6" Chromebook CX1500CNA HD

best Chromebook, product image of a silver Chromebook — Image Credit: Asus

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If a large screen is a priority, then the ASUS 15.6" Chromebook will fit your needs well.

A 15.6" display in any guise is pretty good, and for a Chromebook under 300, there's nothing that's not to like here. A resolution of 1366x768 also ensures an HD picture which should be good enough for casual viewing.

Bezels look to be relatively thin here too which allows for a bigger screen and a more modern look to this ASUS 15.6" Chromebook, and its Celeron processor should power it along nicely.

You'll also find a decent selection of ports here thanks to a handy few USB-As which can be used to expand the bundled 64GB storage.

The 4GB of RAM on offer is pretty standard at this price but provides a large enough ceiling for some browsing on ChromeOS. There is a bit of a debate over whether 4GB or 8GB is best, but for a budget machine, either suits fine.

See More: Best Chromebooks Under 300

Best Compact Chromebook Under 300 - Lenovo Chromebook Duet

best Chromebook, product image of a black Chromebook with detachable keyboard — Image Credit: Lenovo

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The Lenovo Chromebook Duet looks like quite the handy choice for a compact Chromebook at a wallet-friendly price with a clever design.

Its small form factor is largely thanks to a design that sits left-field of the more traditional laptop-based offerings as this Chromebook resembles a cracking tablet with a keyboard type cover than a fully-fledged laptop.

This means it's a great option for those wanting a laptop they can put in a bag and save space, or students wanting something quick and easy to flip out and use.

Even with its small form factor, Lenovo has packed the Chromebook Duet with some brilliant features, including a 10.1" Full HD IPS panel that looks to offer great viewing angles as well as a sharp picture, especially given the size.

8GB of RAM and a 128GB storage capacity also mean this Chromebook isn't short of performance with a high RAM ceiling for ChromeOS and plenty of space for all the Play Store apps you can download.

Best Business Chromebook - Acer Chromebook 714

best Chromebook, product image of a dark grey Chromebook — Image Credit: Acer

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If business class looks are a priority, then the Acer Chromebook 714 should be a prime candidate for you.

It sports this dark-grey metal shell that could be mistaken for an M1 MacBook in some instances and looks to be well-built with a tactile keyboard alongside a bundled fingerprint sensor, a first for Chromebooks.

On the front of performance, a choice of eighth-gen Intel Core processors should keep things both simple and snappy with decent clock speeds ensuring good all-round performance.

A 14" Full HD IPS panel also allows for a decent viewing experience thanks to both its size and resolution, as well as the fact it's a matted panel that can be considered anti-glare.

The Chromebook 714 also boasts what we think is excellent battery life with a total life of 13 or so hours even beating off some of the best laptops around.

See More: Best Business Laptops - Our Top Picks

Best 4K Chromebook - Samsung Galaxy Chromebook

best 4K Chromebook, product image of a red Chromebook — Image Credit: Samsung

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If having an incredible display is a top priority, then the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook definitely delivers.

There's a 4K UHD AMOLED panel on offer which is up there with some of the best laptops for video editing, and a brightness of 350 nits should keep colours popping.

You'll also find a 10th gen Intel Core i5 processor, along with 8GB of RAM which we think gives you plenty of power, especially for a Chromebook.

Moreover, 256GB of SSD storage will be plenty for storing important files and downloading apps from the Play Store.

The battery life for the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook also looks to be pretty good with a quoted 8 hours being able to last a full working day.

Picking The Best Chromebook For You

If you're on the hunt for a brilliant Chromebook, you'll likely have a few questions pop into mind, so we're here to give our two cents to give you a hand.

How much storage does a Chromebook need?

This depends on what you're going to be using your Chromebook for, and also the price you end up paying.

More budget-oriented options like the ASUS 15.6" Chromebook will make do with 64GB, which is enough if you're using the bare minimum when it comes to apps and storing little on the machine.

However, opting for a more premium laptop such as the Google Pixelbook Go will allow for higher capacities up to 256GB which will also be SSD storage as opposed to the slower eMMC form.

Having a higher amount of storage can be better if you're downloading a lot of apps or using a Chromebook as your main work machine and need to store a hefty amount of files.

What processor is best for a Chromebook?

Much like with storage, the best processor is dependent upon usage and cost.

For the very best performance, going for something with a 10th or 11th gen Intel chip, as is the case with the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, would give optimal results during day-to-day work.

Utilising a slightly older 8th gen processor though isn't bad by any means as it'll still deliver good performance for a Chromebook and the casual computing they're designed for.

How much RAM does a Chromebook need?

As Chromebooks are mainly designed for casual computing and the occasional game, a high amount of RAM such as 16GB or 32GB isn't as much a priority as it is for some of the top laptops for video editing.

Either 4GB or 8GB will be perfect for usual day-to-day working, but we'd suggest that if you do have the option, opt for 8GB as it will allow for some more intensive tasks to be completed.

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