What if we told you that you don’t need to spend a small fortune on your next laptop? That there’s a unique type of laptop that’s known for its very reasonable price and great performance? We’re of course talking about Chromebooks. Chromebooks have become increasingly mainstream as more people realize just how much value they pack in.
If you’re looking for a high-quality budget/cheap Chromebook, you’ve come to the right place. We reviewed dozens of budget/cheap Chromebooks to identify the best of the best. We evaluated a range of factors including specs, performance, ease-of-use, portability, value for money, and Amazon reviews.
In the end, the Samsung Chromebook 3 was the clear winner. We believe it’s the best budget/cheap Chromebook out there as it’s super easy to use, lightweight, comes with plenty of memory and has thousands of rave customer reviews. If you’re ready to learn more about it, as well as the other budget/cheap Chromebooks worth considering, keep reading!
The 5 Top-Rated Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
| Editor's Picks | Brand | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Best Budget/Cheap Chromebook Overall | Samsung Chromebook 3 | 4.4 |
| Best Touchscreen Budget/Cheap Chromebook | HP 14-Inch Touchscreen Chromebook | 4.5 |
| Best Long Battery Life Budget/Cheap Chromebook | Acer Chromebook 315 | 4.6 |
| Best Budget/Cheap Chromebook for Kids | Asus 14-Inch Anti-Glare Chromebook | 4.4 |
| Best Budget/Cheap Chromebook with a 360° Hinge | Acer Chromebook Spin 11 | 4.7 |
*Ratings are from Amazon at the time of publication and can change
Best Budget/Cheap Chromebook Overall: Samsung Chromebook 3
Samsung Chromebook 3 is our very top pick of budget/cheap Chromebooks on the market because it ticks all of the boxes, from performance and ease-of-use to portability and price. Samsung describes this Chromebook as offering “everything at your fingertips,” and we couldn’t agree more. It’s straightforward to set up and start using, making it a breeze for first-time Chromebook users. In terms of its specs, the Samsung Chromebook 3 offers a bright 11.6-inch LCD display, ample 4GB of memory, and Bluetooth 4.0 technology. The system runs on the Intel Celeron processor N3060.
This Chromebook weighs just 2.54 pounds, which is very lightweight considering how much it packs in. You’ll be no doubt impressed by its superior battery life, as well. In just a single charge, you’ll get up to 11 hours of battery use. That means you can go from day to night, work to play, all without needing to plug it in. One of the most eye-catching features it offers is its versatility to be used as a traditional notebook or reclined and viewed at a 180° angle.
While this isn’t the latest Chromebook release from Samsung, it in fact boasts better reviews overall than the newer models. It has an excellent average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from nearly 2600 customers, as well as an ample number of glowing customer reviews.
Samsung Chromebook 3 Key Features:
- 11.6-inch LCD display
- 4GB RAM
- Can be reclined at a 180° angle
- 2.54 pounds
- Intel Celeron processor N3060
Best Touchscreen Budget/Cheap Chromebook: HP 14-Inch Touchscreen Chromebook
Are you after a budget/cheap Chromebook that comes complete with a highly-functional touchscreen? You’ll love the HP 14-Inch Touchscreen Chromebook‘s 14-inch HD touchscreen. The beauty of owning a Chromebook that comes with a touchscreen is that it offers greater flexibility in terms of how you can use it. For example, you may wish to use its touchscreen whenever you play games or scroll through articles, and switch to the standard keyboard setup whenever you wish to type and search. It’s really up to you how you use your touchscreen!
This Chromebook is a captivating choice for a whole host of other reasons as well. It’s relatively lightweight at 3.4 pounds and is very thin at only 0.7″. Battery life is quite solid too, as you’ll get up to 10 hours of battery life between charges. If you need to participate in online classes or meetings, the built-in HP TrueVision HD webcam offers crisp visuals and great sound thanks to its dual-array microphone.
So how does this option shape up in terms of customer reviews? It has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from more than 350 customers, making it one of the most well-reviewed budget/cheap Chromebooks available on Amazon.
HP 14-Inch Touchscreen Chromebook Key Features:
- 14-inch HD touchscreen
- 3.4 pounds
- 0.7″ thin
- High-definition webcam
Best Long Battery Life Budget/Cheap Chromebook: Acer Chromebook 315
If there’s one thing all laptop users can agree on, it’s that finding a power socket to charge your laptop can be a downright pain. That’s why we’re confident that the Acer Chromebook 315, which features a 15.6″ HD ComfyView LED display, will be a huge hit with many people. Thanks to its incredible average battery life of 12.5 hours, you won’t need to worry about trying to find a free power socket or needing to unplug your other devices to charge it after a full charge.
This is just one of many examples of how convenient and easy to use this Chromebook is. Another example is its inclusion of two USB 3.1 ports as well as two USB-C ports. This is notable because some Chromebooks only feature one type of USB port—and not as many as this one does. The Acer Chromebook 315’s built-in HD webcam with dual speakers also means that you won’t need to waste time or money setting up an external webcam or speakers. And as the cherry on top, this Chromebook comes with a free case from Acer, so you can ensure it’s protected whenever you’re transporting it around.
It has an excellent average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, but only from 182 customers. Considering all of its amazing features, we believe this Chromebook is a sleeping giant. Once the word gets out about what a great option it is, you can trust that these numbers will rise.
Acer Chromebook 315 Key Features:
- Average battery life of 12.5 hours
- 15.6″ HD ComfyView LED display
- HD Webcam with dual speaker
- Case included
Best Budget/Cheap Chromebook for Kids: Asus 14-Inch Anti-Glare Chromebook
Are you a parent who’s considering buying a budget/cheap for your child? There are some more kid-friendly Chromebooks than others. Our recommendation is the Asus 14-Inch Anti-Glare Chromebook. This Chromebook comes complete with numerous kid-friendly features that will make using it as enjoyable as possible for your child.
Let’s start with a big one: its matte anti-glare coating. This feature is designed to reduce reflections, so your child won’t need to strain their eyes in order to view the screen clearly. To add to this viewing clarity, the Asus 14-Inch Anti-Glare Chromebook also offers an HD NanoEdge display with ultra-narrow 5.8mm bezels. For those of you who don’t speak techspeak, this basically means that because the border around the screen is ultra-narrow, the screen will be more generously-sized.
Fortunately, despite this Chromebook’s larger screen, it weighs only 2.7 pounds. It’s, therefore, safe to say that it won’t weigh your child down, even if they have to carry it alongside heavy textbooks! Like the Acer Chromebook 315 above, this product has strong reviews but only from a handful of people, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars from around 70 people.
Asus 14-Inch Anti-Glare Chromebook Key Features:
- 14-inch HD NanoEdge display
- 2 x USB-C ports
- Ultra-narrow 5.8mm bezel
- Dual-core Intel processors
Best Budget/Cheap Chromebook with a 360° Hinge: Acer Chromebook Spin 11
Imagine if your Chromebook could easily convert from a regular laptop to a tablet, to a tent. That’s precisely what the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 offers. Its well-designed 360° dual-torque hinge allows you to rotate it to any angle, making it one of the most versatile Chromebooks on the market. Just think about the serious savings you can make by buying one Acer Chromebook Spin 11 versus a Chromebook and a tablet!
If that was the only eye-catching feature this Chromebook offered, frankly, we wouldn’t be raving it about. For a Chromebook to be a worthwhile buy, it also needs to offer other useful features. So you’ll be pleased to hear that this one does in droves. It runs on the Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core processor and features an 11.6″ HD IPS 10-point multi-touch screen, an HD webcam with an 88° wide-angle lens, and 4GB of Onboard DDR4 memory. It also offers up to 10 Hours Battery Life
Google Chrome Operating System
No shortage of people have already cottoned on to the fact that this is a truly sensational Chromebook. It has a very high average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 1900 people.
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 Key Features:
- Ability to rotate screen 360°
- 2 x USB Type-C port and 2 x USB 3.0 ports
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core Processor
Who Should Buy a Budget/Cheap Chromebook
Are you on the hunt for an ultra-affordable laptop that allows you to perform lightweight, everyday computer tasks? A budget/cheap Chromebook may be just what you’ve been looking for. If you mainly use your laptop for browsing the internet, typing documents, checking your email, and catching up on the latest Netflix show, buying a budget/cheap Chromebook is a financially-sound idea.
Chromebooks have advanced tremendously in recent years, so if you heard horror stories about the severe limitations of Chromebooks in the past, it may be time to revisit them. That said, by design, Chromebooks primarily support programs available through the Google Play Store and rely on cloud-based storage and an internet connection. They also can’t support CPU-intensive programs. So if these criteria don’t fit well with your needs, a traditional laptop or a gaming computer is probably a better choice for you.
Important Features to Consider
Budget/cheap Chromebooks should have a few important features. Here’s what to consider when selecting a budget/cheap Chromebook:
- Battery life. If you want to use your laptop on the go (and don’t always want to be on the hunt for a power socket), make sure to take note of each option’s battery life. Chromebooks usually offer a battery life of around 8 to 10 hours, but there are some with an extra-long battery life of 12 hours or more.
- Lightweight. Chromebooks are generally very lightweight, but weight still varies from device to device. In our article, we feature Chromebooks that weigh under 1 pound and some that weigh nearly 5 pounds. To see the weight of the product you’re interested in, check the ‘weight’ category in the product’s specifications.
- Processing power (CPU). A Chromebook’s CPU will determine not only what type of tasks you’ll be able to do, but also how many you’ll be able to run at the same time. It’s therefore helpful to compare CPUs when shopping around for Chromebooks. (Just be sure to keep in mind that as we mentioned before, Chromebooks have relatively less CPU than regular laptops!).
- 360° hinge. A 360° hinge is a nifty feature that will allow you to rotate your Chromebook’s screen a full 360°. Chromebooks with this feature offer you the versatility to use your Chromebook just as you would a regular laptop, as a tablet, or propped up as a ‘tent’.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a basic Chromebook cost?
A basic, no-frills Chromebook will usually have a price tag around the $200 to $300 mark. Generally speaking, the greater the performance and the more features a Chromebook comes with, the more you’ll need to pay. If you don’t mind paying more than a budget/cheap price for your Chromebook, check out our roundup of the 25 Chromebooks of the year.
Should I buy a Chromebook or laptop?
Whether you should buy a Chromebook or laptop will depend on a range of factors, including your intended use, which features you’re after, and your budget. Simply put, the answer to this question will depend on your individual circumstances. For example, if you plan to use multiple applications that aren’t supported within the Chrome Operating System (OS) or wish to use CPU-intensive programs, a laptop is probably a safer choice. If, however, your work and play time on your laptop primarily involve so-called ‘everyday’ tasks that can be completed with the Chrome OS and won’t be too CPU-intensive, a Chromebook is well worth considering.
What can a Chromebook do without Internet?
As Google (the company behind Chromebooks) points out, there are many things you can do on a Chromebook without the Internet. The company notes that you can do the following activities when offline: check your email, play movies, music, and games, take notes, view, create, and edit documents, spreadsheets, or slides using Google Drive Drive, view and edit photos, read web pages and use plenty of other apps that work offline. Just be sure to note that in order to engage in such activities offline, some simple setup may be required beforehand.
Are Chromebooks safer than laptops?
According to many tech experts, Chromebooks are safer than laptops. Computerworld notes that Chromebooks are “without a doubt” safer than Windows, OS X, Linux, iOS, or Android due to the fact that “security is baked into the design.” As this Forbes article explains, there’s “nearly zero chance” of a Chromebook getting infected by malware because “the attack surface is really, really small.” Of course, it’s always a good idea to follow internet safety best practices when using any device connected to the internet, regardless of the maker of the device.
Other Budget/Cheap Chromebooks We Reviewed
We looked at 20 other budget/cheap Chromebooks. Even though they didn’t make our 5 best budget/cheap Chromebooks list, they’re the best of the rest, and are still great options. The information you need to compare each one is included with the listing.
- Samsung Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
- ASUS Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
- HP Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
- Acer Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
- Lenovo Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
- Dell Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
Samsung Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
Boasting 32GB of storage and up to 12.5 hours of battery life, this Samsung Chromebook has plenty of generous features to look forward to.
Key Features:
- 32GB storage
- 2.6 pounds
- Intel Celeron N4000
Cost: $299
If you’re after a more amply-sized Chromebook, the Samsung 4+ may be just what you need. It has a 15.6-inch full HD display that is designed for enhanced color and clarity. Just be sure to note this Chromebook comes with upgraded configurations.
Key Features:
- 15.6-inch full HD display
- 4GB RAM
- Built-in webcam
Cost: $449
ASUS Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
Featuring a full HD 14-inch display, touchscreen capabilities, and a 360° hinge, you’ll love the versatility the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 offers.
Key Features:
- Aluminum metal body
- Touchscreen display
- 360° hinge
Cost: $489
Do you somehow manage to break your electronics as soon as they come into your possession? You might have luck with the ASUS Chromebook C202. ASUS claims this lightweight machine boasts such “rugged construction” that it can be dropped from 3.9 feet!
Key Features:
- 2.65 pounds
- 4 GB DDR3 RAM
- 16GB flash storage
Cost: $300
Certified to look and function like new, this refurbished Asus C423NA Chromebook offers a range of nifty features including a 14-inch, anti-glare LED-backlit display, a 64 eMMC hard drive, and Intel UHD Graphics 500.
Key Features:
- Anti-glare LED-backlit display
- 64 eMMC hard drive
- 3.1 pounds
Cost: $240
ASUS Chromebook Flip Touchscreen Laptop
Like the ASUS Chromebook that features in our Top-5, this refurbished Chromebook offers mind-boggling flexibility and versatility thanks to its ability to smoothly ‘flip’ around. You’ll love its gorgeous 10.1-inch LED-lit screen and strong processor, too.
Key Features:
- 10.1-inch LED-lit screen
- Rockchip 1.8 GHz processor
- 16GB SSD
Cost: $235
HP Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
Thanks to eco-friendly features like mercury-free display backlights and arsenic-free display glass, this 14-inch Chromebook offers both Energy Star(R) certified and EPEAT(R) Silver registered.
Key Features:
- Anti-glare micro-edge WLED-backlit display
- Energy Star(R) certified
- EPEAT(R) Silver registered
Cost: $274
This 11.6-inch Chromebook is compact but fairly powerful. It runs on the Intel Celeron processer and features Intel HD Graphics 400 and 16GB of hard disk space.
Key Features:
- 11.6-inch
- 16GB of hard disk space
- Intel HD Graphics 400
Cost: $246
HP’s newly-released 11.6-Inch Chromebook comes with an eye-catching amount of memory, specifically a 4GB system memory and 32GB eMMC flash memory.
Key Features:
- 11.6-Inch HD display
- 32GB eMMC flash memory
- DDR2 SDRAM
Cost: $299
Acer Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
This Chromebook is the previous version of the one featured in our Top-5. It similarly runs on the Intel Celeron N4000 processor, however, it has some notable differences such as its comparatively smaller screen size at (14-inches) and is lighter weight (4.86 pounds).
Key Features:
- Celeron N4000 processor
- 2 Built-in Stereo Speakers
- 4.86 pounds
Cost: $290
How’s this for a serious bargain? This 14-inch refurbished Acer Chromebook 14 not only features a sleek, 100% metal body, fast wireless technology, and an anti-glare screen, but it also comes complete with an Acer Predator Galea 310 gaming headset, which have an RRP of $150!
Key Features:
- Built-in webcam
- Anti-glare screen
- Includes a free pair of Acer Predator Galea 310
Cost: $250
While this is on the higher end of budget/cheap Chromebooks, this 15.6-inch option in actual fact great value for money for all the bells and whistles it comes with. A few notable ones include its Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core processor, full HD widescreen IPS LED-backlit multi-touch display, and two built-in speakers.
Key Features:
- 15.6-inch HD display
- Intel Celeron N3350 Dual-Core processor
- 2 x built-in speakers
Cost: $394
Another refurbished stunner from Acer, the Acer Chromebook N3060 features a large 15.6-inch display and 1366 x 768 LCD HD resolution.
Key Features:
- LCD HD resolution
- 4 processors
- Includes a free pair of Acer Predator Galea 310
Cost: $270
Lenovo Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
A 14-inch Chromebook with a full HD display known for its excellent processing power. It features LPDDR3 memory for multitasking and integrated graphics, and even comes complete with 100 GB of Google Drive cloud storage.
Key Features:
- Full HD display
- Integrated graphics
- 100 GB of Google Drive cloud storage
Cost: $280
Key Features:
After a brilliant 2-in-1 option that is reasonably priced given its multitude of useful features? This Lenovo Chromebook easily converts to a tablet and features touchscreen capability and up to 10 hours of battery life.
Cost: $329
- Laptop and tablet in one
- 10 1″ full HD (1920 x 1200) IPS display
- Touchscreen
Measuring in at 11.6″, the Lenovo Chromebook C340 features a 10-point multitouch screen, 1366 x 768 HD resolution, and a 360° hinge.
Key Features:
- 360° hinge
- 10-point multitouch screen
- Built-in HD webcam
Cost: $322
Lenovo 100E Chromebook 2nd Generation Laptop
This laptop was designed with students in mind, making it perfect for your little Einstein. It not only offers up to 10 hours of battery life and weighs just 2.7 pounds, but it also features a front-facing 720P HD camera and anti-glare technology.
Key Features:
- 2.7 pounds
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Anti-glare technology
Cost: $290
If you want to make some serious savings, consider this refurbished Lenovo N23 Chromebook. This 11.6-inch Chromebook is ultra-thin and ultra-light, making it a great choice for anyone who’s always on the go.
Key Features:
- 0.9″ thin
- 2.76 pounds
- 2 x USB 3.0 ports
Cost: $225
Dell Budget/Cheap Chromebooks
You can snap up this refurbished 11.6-inch Dell Chromebook for only $210, making it one of the best bargains out there! It’s ultra-portable, thanks to the fact it weighs just 1 pound. If you’re worried about buying a refurbished Chromebook, keep in mind it comes with a 90-day return policy.
Key Features:
- 11.6-inch display
- Weighs just 1 pound
- 16GB hard disk space
Cost: $210
Only have $200 to spare, but need a high-function Chromebook, stat? Why not opt for this refurbished Dell Chromebook, which offers dual processors, an 11.6-inch LCD display, and 16GB of computer memory? It also has the tick of approval with customers, with a solid average rating of 4.2 out of 5 stars.
Key Features:
- 11.6-inch LCD display
- 2.7 pounds
- Dual processors
Cost: $195
