Top Ten Best Google Chromebooks For Working From Home

Disclaimer: Chromebooks are among the best tools around for those who are working from home. Because of that, at any given retailer, they have been selling quickly as more students learn and more employees work from home. So any of the Chromebooks listed here may or may not be in stock and pricing is subject to change.

The popularity of Chromebooks has increased in the wake of COVID-19 outbreaks and with more people than ever learning or working from home. The devices represent a great solution to that growing demand due to their cloud-centric nature and ease of management.

That’s also due to Chrome’s focus on optimization for performance and speed over-reliance on expensive hardware. Chromebooks simply don’t require the same level of RAM or processing to complete the same tasks.

Google has also put a significant amount of effort into improving the OS in an enterprise-specific direction. That has included making Linux apps more stable and delivering more tools for IT admins. Those improvements have slowed with the rise of coronavirus. But that doesn’t make the platform any less viable.

Best Chromebooks for working from home

Choosing the best of the wide assortment of Chromebooks for working from home, however, has not gotten any easier. That’s not just because the number of devices available has also grown. Top Chromebooks are increasingly scarce precisely because demand has grown. And also because of supply chain disruptions.

When it comes to working from home, not every Chrome OS device is going to be created equal. For some tasks, a powerful processor and high-capacity storage are desirable. Others might require a number pad, flexibility, a stylus, or other key features to maximize productivity. Cost is, of course, another chief concern.

Fortunately, Android Headlines has spent a lot of time conducting reviews and research on Chromebooks. Some of us also utilize Chromebooks to work on the go. That gives us insight that allows us to make an attempt at making the process of choosing a lot easier. Not every top Chromebook will have made the cut and there are plenty of other options to explore. But, here, we’ve compiled a list of Chromebooks that we think make working from home a more enjoyable experience.

The obvious Chromebook choice for working from home

Google Pixelbook Go

• Price: From $649
• Where to buy: Google

Chrome OS is built by Google so an obvious choice when it comes to Chromebooks for working from home is Google’s Pixelbook Go. That’s not the only reason though. Pixelbook Go is arguably the most well-rounded Chromebook on the market, giving buyers multiple options to better suit their needs.

To begin with, the device starts at as low as $649 and ranging as high as $1,399. For that price, users can start with 8GB RAM coupled with either 64GB or 128GB storage. Those also start with either an Intel Core m3 or Intel Core i5 processor. For a bit more money, users can pick up another variant with an Intel Core i5 and 256GB storage coupled with 16GB RAM.

The top model, conversely, ships with an Intel Core i7 processor backed by 16GB RAM and 256GB storage. That variant takes the Full HD 13.3-inch display of its counterparts and bumps that to 4K as well. Corning Concore Glass is used across the board on every Pixelbook Go.

Now, every Pixelbook Go includes a backlit Hush Keys keyboard. They each feature an etched glass trackpad, Titan C security chip for better enterprise security, ambient light sensors, and a 1080p 60fps webcam for conferencing. Two USB-C ports and one headphone jack are included in the magnesium alloy frame. There’s no pen support this time around as this is Google’s back-to-basics Chromebook.

But Google also designed this device with a ridged bottom for better grip while being carried and a lightweight frame. A claimed 12-hour battery backs everything up for all-day use. So whether its editing documents and other media or performing enterprise tasks requiring a bit more performance, Google’s latest Pixelbook is more than ready to go.

Buy Pixelbook Go

Best Pixelbook alternative

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook

• Price: $999
• Where to buy: Best Buy

Samsung’s first Galaxy-branded Chromebook is a monster of a device that’s geared toward future-proofing performance and productivity. It’s also one of the few devices around that directly challenges Google’s dominance at the premium end of the pool. The branding here says it all. As might be expected, Samsung effectively incorporates all of the latest available Chromebook features atop some included perks of its own.

To begin with, the company packed in its world-famous S Pen stylus, built directly into the frame of this 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook. The all-metal frame is just 9.9mm thin for portability but also packs up to 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage. The Intel Core i5 chip packs serious power with a turbo clock speed up to 4.2GHz.

A more affordable variant, with 8GB RAM and 256GB PCI-e storage, is also available and an Intel Core i7 variant is set to arrive at some point in the future. On the storage front, that’s going to be aided by support for up to 2TB expansion via micro SD card and up to 512GB via UFS card. The other two included ports are USB-C, setting aside the headphone jack.

An 8-hour rated batter backs up that hardware.

Gigabit+ Wi-Fi 6 is drives connectivity here and, of course, the keyboard here is backlit. There is both a front- and world-facing HD camera built into the build. Fingerprint unlocking is included standard. But Samsung has, in true ‘Galaxy’ fashion, also ensured this 13.3-inch 4K Chromebook arrives with an AMOLED touch panel. That means contrast that’s more true-to-life with deeper blacks and more vibrant colors.

Working from home with this device, as with Google’s Chromebooks, is going to equate to one of the best available experiences. As of this writing, the Galaxy Chromebook is also on sale for just $549 direct from Samsung, making it a great option for budget buyers too.

Buy Samsung Galaxy Chromebook

Premium Chromebook performance in a premium package

Acer Chromebook Spin 13

• Price: From $653.98
• Where to buy: Amazon

The Acer Chromebook Spin 13 has been around for a bit longer than other gadgets here but that doesn’t rule out its position as one of the best Chromebooks around for working from home. Initially launched as a direct competitor to Google’s Pixelbook, this Chromebook offers premium specs in a high-design package at a reasonable starting cost.

Landing squarely in the 14-inch range, the Acer Chromebook Spin 13 is a beautifully designed Chromebook initially made explicitly for business use. So the currently-available models include up to an Intel Core i5 processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. A 10-hour rated battery rests behind those specs.

A somewhat more durable build has been engineered around those specs. Gorilla Glass is used on the touchpad and display while the rest of the exterior is made of aluminum. Acer includes an EMR stylus co-designed with Wacom for productivity — irrespective of which mode this 2-in-1 is used in. The keyboard is backlit by default.

Aside from the ergonomically-designed keyboard, the Acer Chromebook Spin 13’s webcam, speakers, and mics are all perfectly tuned for video calls or chats. That’s as opposed to being tuned for multimedia. Meanwhile, the 13.5-inch display panel has a resolution of 2,256 x 1,504 pixels.

Now, there are also two updated versions of this Chromebook sold under model number CP713-2W-356L and CP713-2W-53AW in some European regions. Those start out at €789.00 and €999.99, respectively, and will be the obvious choice where those are available. But the device also starts out at just $653.98.

Buy Acer Chromebook Spin 13

Best Chromebook for ergonomical typing in the mid-range

ASUS Chromebook Flip C434

• Price: From $589.99
• Where to buy: Amazon

ASUS’s Chromebook Flip C434 is already a popular choice among users in the mid-range. But it makes a particularly good work machine for several reasons. Not least of all, this is a 14-inch Chromebook with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution touchscreen display. That sits on a 2-in-1 folding hinge packed into a slim-bezel all-metal package with a minimal design.

Compounding on that, ASUS includes one of the most ergonomically-designed keyboards around. Not only does the design include a slight lift to the back of the keyboard in clamshell mode. This Chromebook features a key-travel of 1.4mm to help productivity-focused users stay comfortable during long typing sessions. That’s also a backlit keyboard. So typing can continue in low-light environments with ease.

A reasonably-good webcam and dual speakers help in conferencing, meanwhile. And a MicroSD card slot is packed into the frame along with all the ports a user could want.

Under the hood, things hold steady too. That’s thanks to the base model’s Intel Core m3-8100Y processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage for just $589.99. But those who need a bit more power can pay a bit more for up to an Intel Core i7-8500Y chipset. That’s accompanied by up to 8GB RAM and 128GB expandable storage.

All of that makes the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 a good fit for those who type a lot and need performance to back that up.

Buy ASUS Chromebook Flip C434

Performance and reliable features on a budget

Lenovo YOGA Chromebook C630

• Price: From $499
• Where to buy: Amazon

Lenovo’s YOGA-branded Chromebook C630 brings more to the table than meets the eye. This Chromebook has a design that’s more akin to a standard laptop but is available with up to a 4K touch panel in a 2-in-one format for those who need it. But brings a 1080p panel for those who don’t.

Similarly, the Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 delivers either an Intel Core i5-8250U or Core i3-8130U processor. That’s backed by 8GB RAM and 128GB storage while the more expensive variants deliver a backlit keyboard. A 10-hour rated battery is packed under the standard backlit keyboard too.

The lack of a built-in stylus and standard 720p HD webcam dont’ really hinder matters for this all aluminum 15.6-inch device either.

What sets this device apart is its pricing. The included ports and plugs are fairly standard for this Chromebook. Connectivity options are a bit more conservative, with dual-band connectivity provided via Intel’s Dual Band Wireless-AC 7265 card. Bluetooth 4.2 provides for more localized connections. The internal components are better-than-respectible.

In summary, Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 offers little by way of standing apart and above its counterparts on this list. But Lenovo offers premium Chromebook with a starting price of $499 and that makes it an easy option for those who are fans of the brand or who just need a Chromebook with plenty of power and performance to get some work done.

Buy Lenovo YOGA Chromebook C630

Where battery life matters as much as performance

HP Chromebook x360 14

• Price: From $599
• Where to buy: HP

The HP Chromebook x360 14 is an anomaly among its Chrome OS counterparts in that it offers top performance with a battery that breaches the 12-hour mark. More directly, HP claims the battery in this Chromebook will last users a whopping 13.5-hours on a single charge. That’s going to make it one of the best and an obvious choice among Chromebooks for those who are working from home, particularly where battery life is the primary concern.

Also setting this Chromebook aside is the fact that it features an HP Wide Vision HD Camera with integrated dual array digital microphones. That’s coupled with powerful stereo Bang & Olufsen speakers for a better video call and conferencing experience than many other Chromebooks can offer.

All of that’s packed into a comparatively lightweight 2-in-1 convertible design with a comfortable 1,920 x 1,080 resolution touchscreen. Its UHD-capable graphics chip allows even higher resolutions when ported out via USB Type-C.

Starting out at just $599 though, another big selling point is going to be that this Chromebook features an Intel Core i3-8130 chipset. That’s bootable up to a massive 4GHz clock and backed by 8GB DDR4 RAM and 64GB storage.

That all means that buyers can get consistent performance with some of the top Chromebooks around with better battery life to get through the workday without recharging.

Buy HP Chromebook x360 14

Best Chromebook for portability

Google Pixel Slate

• Price: From $499
• Where to buy: Google

For the best working Chromebook in terms of portability — allowing users to move about their home as they work — buyers need to look no further than the Google Pixel Slate. Ranging in cost from $499 to just short of $900, the Pixel Slate from Google is a tablet that ships with an optional keyboard.

That places its functionality primarily around touch interactions but doesn’t detract from it being a great work machine. At any of the price-points in question, this Chromebook is going to be a great option for anybody who needs a higher-resolution display in a 12.3-inch format.

Google packed its Pixel Slate with a “molecular” 3,000 x 2,000 resolution panel in an all-metal frame. It accented that with an 8-megapixel camera on front and back for more productive conferencing. And the company also currently ships its Slate with a free $99 Pixel Pen stylus to boost productivity further. There’s a fingerprint scanner packed into the power button for security, alongside Google’s dedicated security chipset.

On the performance front, for a relatively low cost of $899, Pixel Slate ships with up to an 8th-Gen Intel Core i7 with up to 16GB RAM and 256GB storage. At the lower end, the company offers an Intel Core m3 processor with 8GB memory and 64GB storage.

This device is, in effect, a Google Pixelbook Go with a decidedly more portable design. That makes it a worthy entry for anybody who needs a new work-from-home device — although the keyboard does cost an additional $199. Well-reviewed accessory company Brydge offers an alternative keyboard for just $79.99 as well.

Buy Google Pixel Slate

Best Chromebook with ruggedization and a number pad

Acer Chromebook 715

• Price: From $499
• Where to buy: Amazon

For a device that’s more sleek and minimal, in a lay-flat design without the extra pomp but plenty of power and functionality, Acer’s Chromebook 715 will easily be one of the best Chromebooks for working from home. Not only is this 15.6-inch IPS Full HD Chromebook offered with a respectable 1920 x 1080 LCD ‘ComfyView’ panel. The company also packed everything into a MIL-STD-810G rated metal frame. Acer tacks on optional backlighting and a fingerprint scanner at a slightly higher cost.

Acer also packs that keyboard with a full-size number pad. That already makes this one of the best Chromebooks around for those who need to input numbers quickly as part of their everyday working tasks. But Acer went a step further to ensure that users would have a wide selection in terms of internal processing power too.

At the base end of the spectrum, the Acer Chromebook 715 offers an Intel Pentium 4417U processor with 8GB RAM and 32GB storage. At the upper end, Acer offers options with an Intel Core i5-8350U backed by 8GB memory and 64GB storage. Conversely, an Intel Core i5-8250U variant is also available among the six configurations. That’s coupled with 16GB RAM.

Both USB-C and standard USB ports are crammed into the slim frame, providing buyers with a range of options for accessories too. That’s accompanied by a 74-degree wide field of view HD webcam

A 12-hour rated battery and optional 10-point touch display round out the offerings as well. And all of that, taken in conjunction with a low starting cost, makes for a near-perfect minimal Chromebook that can get the work done without sacrificing much by way of features.

Buy Acer Chromebook 715

Best Chromebook for the basics on a budget

Samsung Chromebook 4+

• Price: $299
• Where to buy: Best Buy

The Samsung Chromebook 4+ stands apart from other Chromebooks for working from home not because it comes with the best specs available. It doesn’t. Instead, it stands apart as a capable machine that offers a long battery life, reasonable internals, and a big screen. More directly, it offers that at an affordable price point.

Starting at just $299, the Chromebook 4+ delivers 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and up to 32GB of storage. That’s in combination with an Intel Celeron Processor N4000 and a 15.6-inch Full HD LED (1920 x 1080), anti-glare display. So this Chromebook is going to be great for those who need a larger screen but who don’t need all the extra processing power of other entries here.

For just $50 more, Samsung bumps that to 6GB RAM and 64GB storage, if the entry-level offering isn’t quite enough.

On the connectivity front, Samsung includes 802.11 ac MU-MIMO 2×2 and Bluetooth 4.0. Ports aren’t a let-down either. Samsung packs one USB 3.0 port, two USB-C ports with 4k display out, and a MicroSD card reader. That’s alongside a 3.5mm audio combo jack.

Samsung built all of that into a durable, spill-resistant design. But it also included a 720p webcam for video conferencing and calls as well as a 10.5-hour-rated battery.

That all coalesces into something that allows basic working tasks to be performed without a lot of money invested. The Samsung Chromebook 4+ won’t perform every work-related objective due to its budget-friendly chipset. But it’s going to be a solid option for those who don’t need super-powerful hardware, to begin with.

Buy Samsung Chromebook 4+

Best small form-factor Chromebook for working on a budget

Lenovo Chromebook C340-11

• Price: $279
• Where to buy: Best Buy

Where Samsung’s Chromebook 4+ falls short, Lenovo’s Chromebook C340-11 picks up the slack with some trade-offs. So it’s going to be one of the best Chromebooks around when it comes to working from home on a budget. That’s not just because it packs almost identical internals with regard to the processor, combined with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, at just $279. It’s also among the most practical portables on the market.

Lenovo built the Chromebook C340-11 in an 11-inch, 2-in-1 convertible form factor. The resolution is a bit lower at just 1366 x 768 pixels. But this is an IPS touchscreen that can be used as a laptop or tablet, in addition to tent and stand modes for easier conferencing via the 720p HD webcam.

Lenovo delivers connections via an Intel 9560 802.11AC MU-MIMO 2×2 chip just like the above-mentioned competitor but that’s coupled with Bluetooth 4.2. A 10-hour-rated battery is part of the package too.

The foldable frame houses no fewer than two USB-C 3.1 Gen 1 ports as well as two standard USB-A 3.1 Gen 1 ports. A MicroSD card reader, headphone jack, and Kensington lock slot are part of the build as well. Lenovo packed all of that into a lightweight body designed to be ergonomically friendly.

Buy Lenovo Chromebook C340-11