The best cheap Chromebook deals in May 2018

As tax season comes and goes, you probably have a hankering for a cool new gadget to play with. Unabashedly, we would recommend a Chromebook.

With so many of the best cheap Chromebook deals lingering around right now, there’s an abundant catalog of devices to choose from right here on TechRadar. You may be thinking to yourself that Chromebooks are economical already, but we’re here to tell you that we’ve managed to score deals that quite possibly achieve the impossible by going a few steps cheaper.

You don’t have to worry about us prioritizing affordability over quality either. Because the best cheap Chromebook deals around include several computers capable of running Android applications obtained through the Google Play Store, our entries our exceptionally diverse and versatile. Without further ado, let’s sink our teeth in.

This is where you should begin your search for a Chromebook. At 14 inches in screen size and inside an adorable frame, the HP Chromebook 14 offers a fine middle ground for the indecisive shopper. With standardized parts inside, this Chromebook can do essentially all its closest rivals can and then some, with its microSD card reader and slew of ports – unlike similarly-priced, tinier Chromebooks.

Read our full review: HP Chromebook 14

It’s almost as if Dell hand-crafted this Chromebook to get work done in the classroom. It’s got an indicator light on the lid that teachers can use as if the student raised his or her hand to answer (or ask) a question. And, it’s rubberized in many places to better survive drops and dents. It’s an awfully mobile laptop, too, making it sensible for work at almost any class level, or if you just want a lightweight web browser and email machine.

Read our full review: Dell Chromebook 11

If you’re looking for a large laptop but don’t want to pay the price, Chromebook deals are the right ones to hunt. Acer’s crafted a strong, 15.6-inch Chrome machine that can house plenty of beefier components than most other laptops at its price range. It doesn’t do much that’s exclusive to its larger size so much that it simply does those things more. For many, that’s a selling point worth trying to find the best deal over, and this just so happens to be the best one.

Read our full review: Acer Chromebook 15

Not long after killing off the Chromebook Pixel, Google has revived it in a way that no one was expecting leading into its reveal. Now, it’s called the Google Pixelbook, and it takes a sharp turn away from its predecessor. That’s mainly because we’re looking at a machine that can run Android apps natively in addition to bolstering Chrome OS. With ample storage space, nigh-perfect stylus integration and Google Assistant, the Pixelbook is the best Chromebook you can buy. That said, while Google Pixelbook deals will be hard to come by, it's one of the most-searched laptops right now, so it's worth calling out – not to mention being on the lookout for hot deals.

Read the full review: Google Pixelbook

The R11's subdued design may not win any awards, but behind that white shell is a surprisingly slim laptop destined to last an entire day's work. It’s even among the first Chromebooks to support Android apps by way of the Google Play Store. So, if you’ve ever wanted to use Firefox on a Chromebook, now you can. The R11 packs day-long battery life, sharp performance and a 360-degree hinge for the touchscreen. It won't burn your wallet, thereby making cons, like an iffy trackpad and barely-HD screen, a little easier to take.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11

Acer tends to run the show in our Chromebook roundups, and for good reason: it makes great Chromebooks. If you want the look and near-feel of a MacBook Air, despite its waning presence, Acer makes a Chromebook for that. Its Chromebook 14 looks and feels like Apple’s famous notebook on the outside, but of course can’t truly feel like using one with how little it costs. Still, a full HD screen is one thing this super-cheap laptop has and the MacBook Air doesn’t, so there’s that.

Read our full review: Acer Chromebook 14