Best Chromebox 2021

Best Chromebox Android Central 2021

• Best Chromebox Overall: ASUS Chromebox 3
• Best Chromebox for Power Users: HP Chromebox G3
• Best Plug-and-play Chromebox: Acer CX13 Chromebox
• Best Chromebox for the total package: ASUS Chromebox 3 Bundle
• More RAM: Crucial 16GB Kit (2 x 8GB) DDR4-2400 SODIMM Memory
• More Storage: Crucial MX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA M.2 Type 2280SS Internal SSD
• Get a mouse: Logitech Pebble M350 Mouse
• Made for Chrome: Logitech K580 for Chrome OS
• The Big screen: Dell SE2419H IPS Monitor

Best Chromebox Overall: ASUS Chromebox 3

The Chromebox 3 is ASUS' newest model, and it's one of the company's best ever. You can get the base model for less than $300, but we think the N019U model, with a faster processor and more memory hits the sweet spot of price versus features — all for just a couple hundred bucks more. All models come with a full set of ports for connection to monitors or televisions — including current-generation USB-C ports — so you can use your favorite mouse and keyboard or an external storage drive filled with movies.

The ASUS Chromebox 3 is a Chromebox for the whole family that's future-proof, secure, and dependable. Plus, it's so great that it could rival some of the best desktop PC's that you can find out there. There are a few issues — there isn't any compatibility with Windows apps and there aren't any internal speakers (so you'll need to pay extra). This might be an issue if you're on a budget since the higher-end models are still expensive compared to others on the market. However, based on what you get in terms of features, you can't go wrong here.

Best Chromebox for Power Users: HP Chromebox G3

It's been a few years since a company has released a new Chromebox, regardless of what specs are under the hood. HP has changed that all with the launch of its Chromebox G3 and Chromebox Enterprise G3. This new Chromebox is powered by Intel's 10th generation processors, along with a Pentium and Celeron option for entry-level options. As for specs, HP's including up to 16GB of DDR4 RAM and up to a 128GB SSD. Plus, there's expandable storage onboard thanks to the microSD card slot found on the front of the case.

Thanks to the fact that USB-C is becoming more ubiquitous, HP added a single USB-C port on the back, to go along with dual USB-A ports, dual HDMI ports, and an Ethernet jack. Those dual HDMI ports will definitely come in handy for those who want to use multiple monitors, as the Chromebox G3 is capable of powering two 4K monitors.

While the Chromebox G3 sports a total of four USB-A ports and a USB-C port, we wish there was an extra USB-C onboard. These are becoming more and more popular, with many of our devices already featuring the USB-C port for charging. One other frustration with the G3 is that it's not widely available as of yet, but that should hopefully be changing in the coming months.

Best Plug-and-play Chromebox: Acer CXI3 Chromebox

Acer's Intel Core i3 CX13 Chromebox bundle is perfect for the user who wants a little more without worrying about choosing between models or upgrading things themselves.

Inside you'll find Intel's 8th-generation Core i3 processor, 8GB of DDR4 memory, and a 64GB solid-state drive (SSD) (it's worth noting that the memory and storage aren't upgradeable after purchase). Outside you'll find a vertical mounting option to save desk real-estate and a chrome-customized keyboard and mouse. You'll pay a little more than the base model of our top pick, but you'll also notice the difference when it comes to daily usage.

Best Chromebox for the total package: ASUS Chromebox 3 Bundle

If you would rather grab one box with everything you need — including a hard-to-find Chrome customized keyboard — then this combo from ASUS is the way to go. This includes a 24-inch VE248Q monitor, the Chromebox 3, a basic Bluetooth mouse, and a custom keyboard designed for ChromeOS. That means instead of the trusty Caps Lock key, you'll instead have a dedicated key to pull up search on your Chromebox.

The Chromebox 3 is already our pick for the best Chromebox, but you will then have to go and find a monitor, keyboard, and mouse. While that could be considered to be "fun" by some, getting everything in a one fell swoop can ease your mind and give you the new setup at the same time. The biggest downside here is that the ASUS VE248Q monitor has only a 1080p resolution, so you won't be able to take advantage of the Chromebox 3s ability to output in 4K.

Is it a good time to buy a Chromebox?

Yes! Chrome is constantly getting new features that make it more usable as a desktop and a Chromebox is the best way to experience it. By being a device that's always plugged in you don't have near the thermal throttling that you would find in a Chromebook with a monitor and keyboard attached and the result is a better experience from the same class of specs.

Google supports Chromeboxes with automatic updates for a whopping six years and it's not hard to update them yourself after the official support is over so a purchase now will be good for years to come. If you want a desktop operating system with a world-class browser, the best security, and plenty of apps and games available through Google Play you can't go wrong with a Chromebox.

Bottom line

There are not as many options on the market when finding the best Chromebox as you could find with Chromebooks, so the pickings are slim. However, there are some models that are being semi-regularly updated, and the best part is that many of these "desktop" computers will be supported for up to six-years, so you know that you don't have to run out and grab a new one every couple of years.

The ASUS Chromebox 3 is what you would expect to see from the best Chromebox. Models and prices for everyone are available, and every configuration has the ports and power you need to have a great experience while staying secure and up to date with Google's Chrome software. We think it's the very best Chromebox for everyone.

The best Chromebox upgrades

A Chromebox is great, but one thing makes our top pick even better — it's user-upgradable. While you can't swap out the CPU or mainboard, the RAM and hard drive are simple to swap using guides you'll find on the internet. here's the right gear to buy.

Credits — The team that worked on this guide

Jerry Hildenbrand is Mobile Nation's Senior Editor and works from a Chromebook full time. Currently, he is using Google's Pixelbook but is always looking at new products and may have any Chromebook in his hands at any time. You'll find him across the Mobile Nations network and you can hit him up on Twitter if you want to say hey.

Andrew Martonik is the Executive Editor, U.S. at Android Central. He has been a mobile enthusiast since the Windows Mobile days, and covering all things Android-related with a unique perspective at AC since 2012. For suggestions and updates, you can reach him at andrew.martonik@androidcentral.com or on Twitter at @andrewmartonik.

Daniel Bader is the Managing Editor of Android Central. As he's writing this, a mountain of old Android phones is about to fall on his head, but his Great Dane will protect him. He drinks way too much coffee and sleeps too little. He wonders if there's a correlation.

Andrew Myrick is a regular freelancer at Android Central. He has been a tech enthusiast ever since the original iPhone was released and continues to flip-flop between devices. You might as well hook him up to an IV filled with coffee to get him through the day. If you have any questions, you can find him on Twitter or browsing Reddit.

MOAR STORAGE

Make sure you have plenty of storage to go with your Chromebox

Why try to get by with only 16GB of storage when adding more is as easy as plugging it in? Here are some of the best external hard drives and SSDs for Chromebox.

Get your gear bag on

This is the theme park-tested gear in Ara’s gear bag

I spent most of my afternoons and evenings at Walt Disney World, and if you’re going to haul tech around for 4-7 miles a day, you only carry gear your trust. Here’s mine!

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