The best Chromebooks under $200

The entire point of a Chromebook is to maximize efficiency without as much of the cost. Most of the hard work is done in the cloud so that manufacturers can skip most high-end hardware. As a result, there are some value picks available in Chromebooks for under $200, and here are the best options.

With value in mind, most of these models are neither brand-new nor particularly powerful. However, they should do the trick in keeping you afloat. Now then, on to our top picks.

Best Chromebooks Under $200:

Editor’s note: We’ll regularly update this list of the best Chromebooks as new ones launch.

1. HP Chromebook 11a

A rare brand-new option on this list, the HP Chromebook 11a presents excellent value for under $200. It’s not very large at just 11.6 inches, so even the littlest learners can tote it around easily. The 11a may be the most expensive machine on our list, but it’s worth the extra money.

See also: The best HP Chromebooks for your needs and budget

If you pop open the durable plastic cover, you’ll be greeted by a dual-core Intel Celeron N3350 processor and 4GB of RAM. You’ll also find 32GB of storage and integrated graphics — not a bad setup right under two Benjamins. Beyond the basics, the HP 11a also relies on 802.11ac Wi-Fi for a stable connection. You’ll need a good Wi-Fi network set up to take full advantage of the cloud-based Chrome OS apps, after all.

Many modern laptops drop ports in favor of size, but you’ll be happy to hear that the HP Chromebook 11a isn’t one of them. It’s equipped with a microSD card slot, USB-A 2.0 and USB-C options, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for all of the remote learning you can handle. The 37Wh battery is rated for up to 15 hours, too.

2. Samsung Chromebook 11.6-inch (Renewed)

While budget-friendly Chromebooks might not be the first device that springs to mind when you think of Samsung, the Korean manufacturer offers a relatively wide range of options. This 11.6-inch model holds down the Chromebooks under $200 end of the spectrum, though it looks remarkably similar to the Chromebook 4. It’s a renewed option, though Amazon’s 90-day guarantee backs all models sold.

See also: The best Samsung Chromebook for your needs and budget

If you do choose to pick up this pint-sized option, you’ll open the lid to an 11.6-inch HD LED display — reasonably standard for the price point. Powering that display is Samsung’s proprietary Exynos hardware. In this case, it’s a 5250 chipset. Along with that, Samsung opted for just 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. It’s not much to go on, but most of your files and applications will run from the cloud, so it should be manageable.

Samsung managed to craft a relatively thin body for its 11.6-inch Chromebook, and you might notice that there are no ports on the left or right sides of the machine. Fear not, as the designers moved the ports to the spine to better use the space. You can make the most of two USB-A options and an HDMI port for a good variety of peripherals.

3. Acer Chromebook C720 (Used)

You might be noticing a trend with these Chromebooks for under $200 — and that trend is some big, chunky bezels. It’s almost to be expected with the tiny 11.6-inch screen sizes, as a smaller bezel would ultimately mean less space for the keyboard. The Acer C720 is no exception to the rule, though it seems to manage a bit better than most.

The first thing you’ll see above is that the ports are back to where they usually reside on the sides of the device. You’ll find USB options on both sides as well as an HDMI port if you want to add a monitor. Acer managed to keep a solid selection of ports, though it slimmed much of the weight out of the keyboard itself to make the device easier to manage overall.

Under the hood, you’ll see that Acer opted for the Intel Celeron 2955U dual-core processor as the mitochondrion of its miniature Chromebook. It’s supported by 2GB of RAM and a 16GB SSD, an easier combination to recommend than the Samsung above.

4. Lenovo Chromebook 3

Our next option, the Lenovo Chromebook 3, switches up the processor again, opting for some AMD hardware. It should offer plenty of power to keep you going all day, and this isn’t even a refurbished machine.

Unfortunately, the Chromebook 3 sticks with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, but sometimes sacrifices are part of the low price. The all-black appearance is a nice touch, though the laptop is made of plastic. You can fold the hinge out to 180-degrees as well, which is great for sharing your screen with your team. You’ll have plenty of accessory potential thanks to USB-A options on both sides and an HDMI port, just in case.

Weighing less than three pounds, it’s a great choice if you like to work on the go. The Chromebook 3 stacks up with 10-hours of battery life and a trackpad that’s plenty large for any of your productivity needs.

5. Asus Chromebook 14

Asus’ budget-friendly machines aren’t just for Windows users: the Chromebook 14 features an Intel Celeron N3350 that’ll handle some pretty basic computing needs such as web browsing. Combine that with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage and you’ve got yourself one of the best cheap Chromebooks out there.

Port selection includes two USB-C ports (one for charging), two USB-A ports, a microSD reader, and a combination headphone/microphone jack. More ports populate this cheap Chromebook than my Dell XPS laptop, wow. 

6. Dell Chromebook 11

Dell’s Chromebook 11 recently got a bit of a price cut at Best Buy, granting it a spot in this list by the skin of its metaphorical teeth. This mini machine features a Celeron processor, 4GB of RAM, and a paltry 16GB of storage that you’ll likely use cloud storage in place of anyway. 

The way this machine is shown with a 360-degree hinge would imply that it has a touchscreen that a 2-in-1 laptop would but alas, it is not touch-enabled. I’m not sure why you’d need the special hinge in that case, but maybe someone can find a use for it. Either way, this is a pretty good deal that you should check out.

The world of Chromebooks is so broad, and there’s a lot more to try if you’re willing to expand your budget a little. The Google Pixelbook is one of my favorite laptops of all time, so if you’ve never tried one, I’d recommend giving it a shot. Also, check out some of the lists below for even more Chromebook buying advice.

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