Chromebooks have evolved from just running a few Google apps to being capable of meeting a variety of computing needs. A high-quality Chrome OS laptop or two-in-one can be more beneficial than an average Windows or MacOS laptop. As such, the Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 is our top pick for the best Chromebook of 2023 due to its excellent build quality, long battery life, and exceptional performance.
Well-known companies such as Acer, Lenovo, and Asus have established a reputation for delivering good value in their Chromebooks. The idea that consumers want quality Chromebooks rather than just affordable ones has been conveyed to manufacturers, resulting in many options priced around $500-$600 that can satisfy a range of computing needs. Although there are excellent choices available at higher and lower price points, spending more money will provide greater satisfaction with the purchase.
The quality of the best Chromebooks in this range has been consistent, with many similarities across offerings from Asus, Lenovo, Google, HP, Dell, and Samsung. If comparing products, shoppers will likely find a majority of the options on this list to be excellent purchases, particularly when found at a discount. Some of these options even rival the best laptops, budget laptops, and student laptops on the market.
For those on a budget, we recommend the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3. Other top picks for the best Chromebooks of 2023 include the Google Pixelbook Go and the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2.
Most buyers seek the same features in Chromebooks as they would in any laptop: a good keyboard, strong build quality, long battery life, a high-quality screen, and sufficient power to complete tasks. More Chromebooks can now meet these qualifications than ever before, but the aforementioned options stand out among the competition.
Asus Chromebook Flip CX5
Although the price of the Chromebook Flip CX5 may cause some hesitation, it truly is a top-notch device. Its construction is durable enough to endure bumps and shakes in a backpack or briefcase, and it features a unique velvety texture that feels pleasant to the touch. Additionally, it boasts an extensive selection of ports, a smooth and comfortable keyboard, and a vivid display, which enables it to compete against many midrange Windows laptops.
The CX5’s performance is equally remarkable. Despite running a workload that typically bogs down most devices, we never once heard its fan during testing. The battery life is satisfactory and lasted an entire day with ease. Furthermore, the CX5 produced some of the loudest audio we’ve ever experienced from a Chromebook. Although it’s not a flawless device, the CX5 is presently the finest Chromebook available for purchase. Please read our Asus Chromebook Flip CX5 review for further information.
Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3
Asus has introduced the Chromebook Detachable CM3 to compete with Lenovo’s highly lauded Chromebook Duet. Like the Duet, the CM3 is a 10.5-inch, 16:10 Chrome OS tablet that includes a fabric cover, a kickstand, and a keyboard that can be attached and detached. Although it is more expensive than the Duet, it comes with a few additional features.
One unique advantage of the CM3 is that the kickstand can be folded in various ways. It can be folded lengthwise to prop up the tablet like a laptop, or folded widthwise to prop up the tablet horizontally. While it’s unclear how practical this functionality is, it’s present if you have a specific use case in mind. Additionally, the CM3 comes with a built-in USI stylus and spacious keys with a surprising amount of key travel. However, the most remarkable feature was the battery life, as we managed to work on the device for almost 13 hours continuously.
The CM3 may not be the ideal Chromebook for everyone, as it only has two ports (one USB-C and one audio jack) and its MediaTek processor was less speedy compared to pricier models. However, if you’re searching for a convertible Chrome OS device and discover that the Duet doesn’t meet your requirements, then you’re likely the CM3’s target audience. Please read our Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 review for further information.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a compact and affordable laptop that offers great value for budget-conscious shoppers. Its magnetic detachable keyboard makes it easy to switch between tablet and laptop mode, and the screen supports USI styluses (sold separately). Additionally, the keyboard, magnetic back cover, and kickstand are all included in the price.
For day-to-day use, the Duet 3 is quite capable for light work and entertainment. It has a sharp and bright 11-inch display and a surprisingly comfortable keyboard and touchpad. The battery life is long enough to last a full day of use. The main selling point of this device is its portability, weighing only 2.09 pounds with the keyboard attached, making it easy to carry around.
There are a few drawbacks, such as only having two ports and no headphone jack, and the processor struggling with heavier multitasking workloads. Nevertheless, for Chrome OS enthusiasts looking for a portable device for fun and multimedia at an affordable price, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is an excellent choice. Check out our review of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 for more information.
Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook
Unlike many modern Chromebooks that cater to students and kids, the C13 Yoga Chromebook by Lenovo is a convertible, sturdy, and expensive Chromebook designed for grown-ups. It’s a part of Lenovo’s highly regarded ThinkPad business line and boasts a red Trackpoint, a fingerprint sensor, an aluminum design, discrete touchpad clickers, and a webcam shutter among other ThinkPad perks. It’s nearly impossible to distinguish this Chromebook from several Windows ThinkPads.
One of its unique features is the inclusion of AMD’s Ryzen 3000 Mobile C-series processors specifically designed for Chromebooks, enabling smooth performance even with demanding programs and mobile games. The battery life is the only drawback, with just over six hours on one charge, compared to our top pick, the Chromebook Spin 713, which lasted seven and a half hours, and several other devices that last over eight hours. Check out our Lenovo C13 Yoga Chromebook review for more details.
HP Chromebook x360 14c
If you’re searching for a Chromebook that offers strong performance and durability at an affordable price, the Chromebook x360 14c from HP is a great option to consider. HP is known for producing well-built laptops, and this convertible Chromebook is no exception.
Priced between $500 and $600, the device is powered by Intel Core processors (our test model had an i3), and it easily handled our standard office workload without any issues. The device also remained cool and quiet during our testing. While the battery life was acceptable, we did not get a full day of use from it. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the webcam.
One factor to consider is the screen, which has a maximum brightness of 250 nits, making it quite dim in brighter environments. Additionally, the device is not the most portable on this list, weighing in at 3.35 pounds. Nevertheless, it is a sleek and durable device that excels at video conferencing.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
The Chromebook Duet 5, a small convertible device with an OLED display, is a lightweight and slim option compared to most Chromebooks available. Its back cover can also be used as a kickstand and it often sells for under $400, making it one of the most affordable OLED devices available.
The OLED screen provides a pleasurable viewing experience, while the detachable keyboard is also noteworthy, featuring excellent spacing and satisfying feedback. Our tested unit, powered by the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, exhibited snappy performance and was capable of handling our standard office workload with ease. The standout feature, however, was the impressive battery life: between 10 and 12 hours on a single charge, even when handling demanding tasks such as Zoom calls and high-resolution YouTube videos.
The absence of a fingerprint sensor and an included stylus (though it is supported) are regrettable shortcomings. Nonetheless, for Chrome OS enthusiasts seeking a fantastic screen for multimedia entertainment, this Chromebook is a top choice at this price point.
