Best Chromebook 2022
We discuss the merits of Chromebooks vs laptops, and the best Chromebooks available to buy
If you’re looking for the best Chromebook in 2022, or simply want to know more about Chromebooks and whether they make sense for you, look no further. We will be going through the pros and cons of various Chromebooks which we consider to be the best options available in their specific niche, to help you work out which one (if any) you should buy.
What is the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop?
A Chromebook is essentially a laptop that operates using the Chrome Operating System (Chrome OS) developed by Google, which is closely integrated with the Google Chrome web browser. Unlike a conventional laptop, most functions are done via the Chrome web browser (Word processing, applications for business, creative workflows, etc.) meaning Chromebooks are heavily reliant upon an internet connection and access to the cloud to function. The advantage of this though, is that Chromebooks do not require the same SSD storage space or as powerful CPUs or other core components to operate effectively, meaning they are substantially cheaper than conventional Windows laptops with the same quality display, keyboard etc.
For more information, read the Things to Consider before you buy a Chromebook in 2022 section below.
Our Top Picks
The best Chromebooks available to buy
In-depth Review
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021)
Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021)
The Acer Chromebook Spin 713 has been at the top of best Chromebook lists for the past couple of years now, and it continues to offer a great high-end experience for those after a premium grade Chromebook who don’t mind spending a bit more for it. Although the Spin 713 is definitely within the premium price range, you do get a good amount for your money.
The lush, bright and colorful, high-resolution 2256 x 1504 display is a delight on the eyes when watching video media/viewing imagery, and the 3:2 aspect ratio gives you more screen headroom to work on and when reading documents. The Intel Core i3-1011OU CPU option is a solid performer, but the i5-1021OU model is particularly powerful, for those after a Chromebook with a bit more oomph. Indeed, for this price, this is the most powerful Chromebook you will find.
The 8GB of RAM is solid, and the 128GB SSD is on the higher end for a Chromebook, plus can actually be upgraded at a later date should you wish to, which isn’t that common in the Chromebook world. The overall build quality is sturdy, including the 2-in-1 hinge which lets you transition from the conventional laptop form factor to the tablet formation, and the 13.5” size machine is nice and portable. Battery life at half brightness will extend to around 9 hours, which is decent if not the best out there.
In terms of the weaker points, the keyboard is fine but fairly average: for some, the keys might feel a bit spongy to type on and we’ve seen better examples out there. Similarly, the speakers could be better, though they do the job. Although fan noise is generally fine, under stressful loads this Chromebook can get a bit on the louder side compared to the average.
You may want to consider the Google Pixelbook Go if you’re interested in a slightly longer battery life (an additional hour or two), better speakers, a slightly slimmer body, and an even better keyboard; but this will be at the expense of a weaker CPU, less high-end display options, and a higher price point. Ultimately we think the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 offers the best overall price to performance ratio of any model out there, and takes our top spot for best chromebook in 2022.
ASUS Chromebook CX9
ASUS Chromebook CX9
The core components of this ASUS Chromebook are likely the most powerful you will find. Not only do you get an 11th gen Intel Core i7-1154G7 CPU with integrated Intel Xe graphics, but 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, which are specs you’d more likely see in a Windows laptop. Besides this, the ASUS Chromebook CX9 remains thin, light, and portable with great build quality and a top-notch keyboard and touchpad. The body of the laptop also raises upward to improve the typing experience and increase airflow.
The primary reason the ASUS Chromebook CX9 is not in the top spot on this guide though that it is arguably too expensive for a Chromebook, particularly given the lackluster speakers and fairly poor webcam. The issue is that, for this price, you could pick up a fully-fledged Windows laptop like the HP Spectre x360 14 for only slightly more money which would come with the same i7-1165G7 CPU, but have better utilization of it via Windows operating system, leading to better performance.
Still, if you’re committed to the Chrome OS, you do get a brighter 366 nits screen, a great 1,663:1 contrast ratio, and lush color replication that covers 97% of the sRGB spectrum. The screen is also fairly color accurate, with a Delta measurement of 1.4, meaning it’s definitely suitable for color-accurate work. This is generally better than what you’d get for a Windows laptop of the same price and overall quality.
Battery life at 50% brightness will get you around 7-8 hours, which is a lot less than the 14 hours claimed but isn’t terrible. Overall, the ASUS CX9 is a Chromebook of excellent quality.
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook
The ‘Duet’ in the name of the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook signifies that it is of a detachable keyboard design, meaning you can separate or attach the keyboard to the display to switch from tablet to laptop mode. This Chromebook comes in a couple of different configurations, but we’d recommend going with the full spec 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, and Gen 2 Snapdragon 7c processor version. Even this higher specced CPU is one of the weakest you’ll find in this shortlist, but it still manages the job for web browsing and word processing.
The sacrifice in terms of CPU power (not the biggest priority in a Chromebook after all) is what enables the IdeaPad Duet 5 to have such an impressive display for the price. The OLED screen has 100% sRGB color gamut coverage, and even 85.2% DCI-P3 coverage, with an excellent color accuracy delta of 0.23. It has a great contrast ratio, and a peak brightness of 361 nits, making it suitable for outside use. You won’t find a better display for this price.
You might think that the OLED screen would hamper the battery life, but at around 13 hours of general usage at 50% brightness, it has the best longevity of any selection on this page.
The speakers on the Duet 5 are of reasonable quality but lack much in the way of bass replication. There’s nothing wrong with the keyboard, but it lacks some of the travel distance of other options on this page. Relative to most detachable keyboard Chromebooks, propping up the IdeaPad Duet 5 in a position that’s easy to type on is actually fairly easy, and it manages to stand up in place in a relatively sturdy fashion. The machine is very light, and thin and small enough to be easily portable.
Finally, there aren’t much in the way of ports on this machine, a mere 2x USB-C 3.2 slots, and no 3.5mm audio jack, but if you can overlook this the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is a great choice.
ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5500
ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5500
As far as more upper-mid range Chromebooks go, the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5500 offers solid value in most areas. This larger, 15” Chromebook has a quality look and feel to it, with sturdy build quality, including around the 2-in-1 hinge. The keyboard feels nice to use, and even comes with a numpad. The trackpad is similarly solid and you also get a stylus included to use on the touchscreen display.
The CPU options are pretty powerful for a Chromebook, especially the Intel Core i7-1165G7 loadout, and the SSD size can be kitted out up to 256GB should you wish.
Unfortunately, the screen of this Chromebook disappoints somewhat. It has only around 240 nits of peak brightness, which is below average and hinders its usefulness in outdoor settings. It also only covers around 63% of the sRGB color space, which is well below what you’d want for any kind of color-based workflows, though still good enough for watching YouTube / Netflix on. The speakers, whilst loud, are also of a disappointing audio quality.
Still, you can expect around 11 hours of battery life during general usage at half brightness, which is pretty great for a 15-inch machine. Despite its flaws, in most areas the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5500 is a great bit of kit.
Final Word
This has been our guide to the best Chromebook 2022. With any luck you’ve found the model you’re looking for, or at the very least acquired a better understanding of the Chromebook market and what to look out for. If you think you’d prefer a Windows laptop instead, why not have a read of our best touch screen laptop guide. If your interests are more in the area of gaming, do be sure to have a look at our best gaming laptop page for some options across all price ranges.