The best Chromebooks 2018

When the first Chromebooks hit the market, no one, including ourselves, knew what to make of them. However, just a few years later, and not only are there more than 25 million Chrome OS users, but the best Chromebooks continue to wow us with all-day battery life – something that Windows 10 laptops still can’t achieve.

The best Chromebooks don’t just feature great battery life – they’re also (usually) inexpensive. They won’t feature the latest processor tech – with the exception of the Pixelbook and others – but the best Chromebooks just keep getting faster. Just look at the Acer Chromebook Spin 15 and the Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 – two extremely exciting, pro-grade Chromebooks.

Some users might feel wary of the best Chromebooks, of being restrained by what your web browser can do – we get it. If you’re looking to play games or do media editing, you might want to look elsewhere. But, if your computer use boils down to word processing, email and video streaming, the best Chromebooks are going to tick all of your boxes.

Shortly after proclaiming the Chromebook Pixel as dead, Google revived it in a way nobody expected. Now, it’s the Google Pixelbook and it stands completely independent of its predecessor. That’s because, unlike the Chromebook Pixel, it can run Android apps natively, on top of building upon Chrome OS. And, when you add in the huge amount of storage space, fantastic stylus and Google Assistant, it shouldn’t surprise you when we say the Pixelbook is the best Chromebook 2018 has to offer – even so long after its launch.

Read the full review: Google Pixelbook

• This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Asus Chromebook Flip 

Before the Google Pixelbook showed up and showed us exactly what the best Chromebooks are capable of, the Asus Chromebook Flip was the Google laptop to get. Rocking a full-fat Intel Core processor and full-HD display, the Chromebook Flip changed everything. With this Chromebook, all the features we take for granted came to life. Put simply, if you want the key features that the Pixelbook offers, but you don’t want to drop that much cash the Asus Chromebook Flip is a fantastic option. 

Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip 

When Android apps started heading to the best Chromebooks, it was only a matter of time before Samsung took its mastery of the two OSs and crafted something truly beautiful. With a 12.3 inch QHD touchscreen and a 360-degree hinge, the Samsung Chromebook Pro is widely acclaimed for its built-in stylus – the first of its kind to show up in a Chromebook. Not only does it show up a majority of laptops in its own category, but it’s better than most Android devices as well, even if the keyboard could use some improvement.  

Read the full review: Samsung Chromebook Pro

• This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Asus Chromebook Flip.

If the Samsung Chromebook Pro is all about versatility, the Dell Chromebook 11 is about value. Reinforced by a 180-degree hinge, sturdy design and a sealed keyboard and trackpad in addition to a punchy typing experience, this Chromebook is a perfectly portable package. Not only adequately suited for school and work, the Dell Chromebook 11 even packs a set of loud stereo speakers for listening to music or watching videos. Don’t worry about dinging it, either, as this device remains the most rugged Chromebook on our list.

Read the full review: Dell Chromebook 11

One of the most compelling use cases for the best Chromebooks is that of the student laptop – and the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 is a perfect example. If you’re a student, or even a parent of a student that’s looking for a cheap, capable and, more importantly, durable machine to get some homework done on the go, you shouldn’t need to look further than the Acer Chromebook Spin 11. You won’t be able to do any hardcore gaming or video editing on this thing, but if you just need something to write some papers and watch some YouTube in your downtime – you should give it a look.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 11 

With its pristine build quality that rivals even a MacBook, it’s easy to look past the Acer Chromebook 15’s aversion to 2-in-1 form factors. However, given that most Chromebooks releasing this year are fully convertible, thanks to the wide adoption of Android app support, the Acer Chromebook 15 had to prove itself to us with more than just a nice aesthetic. So, beyond its ability to lay flat using a 180-degree hinge, this 15-inch beauty makes great strides with its battery life as well, lasting almost 17 hours in our own TechRadar battery life test. 

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the HP Chromebook 14.

We wouldn’t be surprised to see Acer replacing the Chromebook R11 – at least, judging by the recent release of the Chromebook Spin 11, but it still holds up to this day as one of the best Chromebooks on the market. It isn’t the most powerful option out there, but it still gives you full access to Android Apps on the Google Play store. What’s more, it does so on a touchscreen display that can be rotated around into tablet mode, complemented by an all-metal finish that you won’t be ashamed of. 

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11

The HP Chromebook 14 is basically the perfect Chromebook. Its rock-bottom starting price and speedy use of Chrome OS only begins to exemplify its appeal. While Acer’s Chromebook 15 serves up similar components, HP’s 14-inch Chromebook is a bit more compact and better-looking to boot. Embellished with a bright blue finish and a screen made to surprise. This little Chromebook boasts the best value of any Chromebook you can buy today. Even if it’s a bit average in battery life and performance – the HP Chromebook 14 is still a great choice for anyone looking for the best Chromebook. 

Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Asus Chromebook Flip 

The HP Chromebook 13 is way better than anyone would expect from a Chromebook. You’re getting a 1440p display, two USB-C ports and, if you’re willing to shell out a bit more cash, you can get yourself an INtel Core M processor rather than a Pentium. All of this is complemented by incredible style and a metallic design that exudes Pixel influence. It might not be as powerful as the Google Pixelbook, but it’s still one of the best Chromebooks when it comes to sheer style. 

Read the full review: HP Chromebook 13

Watch the video below for the top 7 things to consider when buying a laptop:

Juan Martinez and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article.

• Many of the best Chromebooks also made our best cheap laptops list

from TechRadar - All the latest technology news