Because of the nimble Chrome OS operating system, the best Chromebooks are renowned for combining affordability with rapid performance. Over time, the operating system has seen significant changes. And Chrome OS is already seeing a comeback thanks to the ability to run Linux and Android apps. Not to mention, you can use your old computer or MacBook to run Chrome OS Flex. Consequently, if you’re looking for a brand-new Chromebook, you’ve come to the perfect spot. I’ve selected the top 15 Best Chromebooks for 2022 across a range of price points in this post. On that topic, let’s examine the top best Chromebooks for gaming available today that will be the best in 2022.
15 Best Chromebooks You Can Buy Right Now in 2022
Best Chromebooks are known for being affordable but subpar electronics. While they occasionally do provide extraordinary discounts, the narrative doesn’t end there. It’s not necessary to remove the hardware power just because you remove the software fluff.
High-end best Chromebooks 2021 may be extremely powerful devices. They provide the best of both worlds in many ways: high-quality hardware, efficient software, and all the tools you need for web-based work. Since roughly ten years ago, the WIRED Gear crew has been testing the best Chromebooks. Our top selections are these.
Purchase the best Chromebooks
Four categories—detachable Chromebooks, Chromebooks priced under $300, $500, and $1000—make up my selection of the best Chromebooks for 2022. So, check out the Chromebooks according to your preferences. For students, children, the elderly, regular customers, and professionals alike, we have carefully selected the best chromebooks under $300. So with that said, let’s get started.
How Do You Pick the Best Chromebook?
Look for CPUs with the Celeron N4000, MediaTek, or more recent architectures if you are a novice and want a Chromebook for casual use. They are capable enough for little use. Remember, avoid purchasing a Chromebook in 2021 with an N3350 or N3060 Celeron CPU. Just keep away from them. Get Intel CPUs, ideally the 8th or 10th-gen i3 and above if you’re a power user. The latest Intel Tiger Lake 11th-generation CPUs are excellent. By the way, many OEMs are now working with Qualcomm and AMD to make Chromebooks with Snapdragon and Ryzen processors.
In my opinion, 64GB of onboard storage and 4GB of RAM should be the absolute minimum in terms of storage and RAM. More is better when it comes to RAM and storage. Additionally, you want additional storage, RAM (8GB would be ideal), and processing speed to complete a variety of jobs now that Linux software is accessible on Chromebooks. In addition, getting SSD storage is a significant plus, especially if it’s an NVMe SSD. The performance will be blazingly quick. Nevertheless, eMMC is also rather good.
When it comes to the display, you ought to get a Chromebook with an FHD panel.
It is even better if it has a touchscreen display and a convertible body. So, these are the essential considerations you should make before purchasing a Chromebook.
Best Chromebooks for Detachment in 2022 (Chrome OS Tablets)
1. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 and Duet 5
The detachable keyboard is included in the box as well, but the stylus must be purchased separately. Please be aware that Duet 3 only supports the USI 2.0 stylus, so it is incompatible with earlier USI pens. The Lenovo Duet 3 is one of the best Chromebooks that you can take apart in 2022. It costs $329. If you want a bigger 13.3-inch FHD OLED display with the same form factor, you may choose the Duet 5, which costs a little more ($349).
2. HP Chromebook x2 11
3. Acer Spin 513
4. ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3
5. Acer 317 Chromebook
6. Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook
7. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5i
If you could only buy one Chromebook from this list, I would recommend that you buy the Lenovo Flex 5i. It belongs to the category of the best sub-$500 Chromebooks.
You receive an Intel i3-1115G4 processor from the 11th generation, 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and 64GB of eMMC storage. The 13-3-inch touchscreen FHD display is also supported. And yes, it folds in a 360-degree circle for convenient viewing from any position.
The earlier Flex 5 model enjoyed great popularity, and now Lenovo has developed a Chromebook that is almost the same but has a faster CPU and more RAM. Along with fixing all the previous issues, the new Flex 5i is now flexing its muscles in this price range. The Lenovo Flex 5i, which costs $377, is one of the finest Chromebooks for 2022.
8. Acer Spin 514 Chromebook
The Acer Spin 514 comes with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage, both of which are standard. Its 14-inch FHD touchscreen display is supposed to have 10-hour battery life. The Acer Spin 514 also supports Wi-Fi 6, which is excellent on top of all that. If you are willing to give up a little battery life for better performance, I would recommend the Acer Spin 514.
9. HP x360 14C Chromebook
Not to mention, you can use the Chromebook as a standard laptop or transform it into a tablet or tent mode. I have been using its older variant, which has an Intel i5 CPU from the 8th generation, and I adore it. You also get a fingerprint reader, rapid charging, Linux compatibility, and a backlit keyboard.
Simply said, you should choose the HP x360 14C without a second thought if the Lenovo Flex 5i or Acer Spin 514 do not meet your needs.
Keep in mind that larger storage will cost you more money, but if you want to use Linux or play Steam games, the investment will be well worth it.
10. Acer Spin 714 and 713 Chromebook
The maximum display brightness is around 340 nits, which is a respectable amount. Not to mention, you get a high-end body with an aluminum chassis, a glass trackpad, a keyboard with backlighting, and support for rapid charging. To sum up, the Acer Spin 714 is the ideal Chromebook if you’re looking for one at a great price with a strong CPU. If you still desire the older, 11th-generation Intel-powered Acer Spin 713 (2021) Chromebook, you may get it from Amazon. Although Acer has stopped selling the older model, some retailers still have stock.
11. ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5
Be aware that this Alder Lake processor has Intel UHD Graphics 630 instead of the powerful Iris Xe graphics. So, since you can only use Chromebooks with Intel i5 and i7 processors, you might not be able to play Borealis-based Steam games on this device. But if you are a moderate to heavy user, keep in mind that it is a powerful Chromebook and is also not too expensive.
12. Google Pixelbook Go
Rich colors are shown on the 13.3-inch FHD LCD touchscreen display, which is vivid.
You cannot use it as a tablet or a tent because it is not a convertible Chromebook. Overall, the Pixelbook Go, which costs $709, is a good option because of its superb 12 hours of battery life.
13. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
14. Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook
A fingerprint sensor, a backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6E compatibility, Bluetooth 5.2, and other features are also included. The best feature is that it also supports LTE, which is fantastic. In essence, the Chromebook Lenovo ThinkPad C14 is fully equipped with the newest technologies. But at $1019, the cost is equally high. You should definitely choose the Lenovo ThinkPad C14 Chromebook if it meets your requirements.
15. HP Elite Dragonfly
In 2022, HP will release a new line of Chromebooks called the Dragonfly series that will include 12th-generation Intel CPUs. Starting at $1039 for the i3 model and going up to $2000 for the i5 model. The 12th-generation i3-1215U processor, 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, and 128GB of NVMe SSD are included in the basic model. The 13.5-inch screen has a resolution of 3200 x 1800 and a maximum brightness of 400 nits.
This Chromebook is different because its trackpad has haptic feedback like that of a cellphone. A fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth 5.2, 45W charging, and Wi-Fi 6E compatibility are also included. The HP Elite Dragonfly series is a great option if you’re looking for a robust Chromebook in 2022.
Final Words
So those are our top selections for the best Chromebooks in various price ranges for 2022. After careful research, we have included Chromebooks with top-notch build and performance. Also, if you want a Chromebook with a faster screen or processor, we’ve listed others in the same price range. Visit our list of the top Chromebooks for kids if you’re looking for more information. Please let us know in the comment section below if there is anything you think we should have included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Chromebook to buy?
The best Chromebooks available right now are the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 and the Acer Spin 713. These Chrome OS laptops cost approximately half as much as those made by certain other manufacturers while being loaded with high-end functionality. In addition, you may look at the HP x360 14C or the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2.
Is a Chromebook the same as a laptop?
The term “laptop” refers generally to portable computers with desktop-level capabilities.
Any laptop, whether it be a MacBook, a Windows laptop, or a Chromebook, functions similarly. However, items make a reputation for themselves because of the device’s appeal and the distinctive OS they run.
Nevertheless, a laptop is typically referred to as a Windows laptop in everyday speech.
A laptop and a Chromebook would thus be two distinct things. Chromebooks run Chrome OS, whereas Windows laptops run Windows. Our comprehensive article has further information on the contrast between Windows laptops and Chromebooks.
In 2022, are Chromebooks still valuable?
In 2022, Chromebooks will undoubtedly be worthwhile. Following the addition of Linux support to Chrome OS, Chromebooks have gained a lot of features and can now do practically whatever a Windows laptop can.
Which Chromebook is the best affordable model?
The Acer 317 Chromebook is your best option if you’re searching for a Chromebook that won’t set you back more than $300 because it costs just $189. And if you have the extra cash, go with the Lenovo Flex 5i or the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5.
What Drawbacks Come with a Chromebook?
The primary downside of a Chromebook is that it does not have native app support, meaning you won’t find as many apps as you do on a Windows or macOS laptop.
If you often download and play games, gaming on Chromebooks might be a nuisance.
Having said that, most of your problems will be solved if you can adjust to Linux.