Holiday shopping is right around the corner, and that means only one thing: Black Friday deals are about to take over the internet. We’re just one week away from Cyber Week, and already, online retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy have unveiled their holiday plans for laptops, tablets, and smartphones, with Chromebooks among the first devices to see major price cuts.
Also: Best early Black Friday laptop deals 2025
Whether you’re hunting for a reliable laptop for school or an affordable travel companion, now is a great time to buy. You can expect to see steep markdowns on standout options, such as the Asus Chromebook CX15, in the lead-up to the event. I’ve been covering Chromebooks for a couple of years now, keeping track of pricing and model refresh across major retails. I know a good bargain when I see it. It took a little while, but I found the best early Black Friday Chromebook deals, and you can check them out below.
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- Current price: $139 (37% off)
- Original price: $220
Acer’s CX15 Chromebook “is an excellent budget pick… for anyone who needs a simple everyday device,” according to ZDNET Editor Kyle Kucharski, who reviewed it earlier this year. He praises the laptop for its decent hardware, 1080p screen, and solid selection of ports. It’s not a premium model, but the CX15 ensures students get the support they need to excel at school.
Review: Acer CX15 Chromebook
- Current price: $279 (42% off)
- Original price: $479
Originally released in late 2023, the HP Chromebook Plus x360 remains a top-notch Chromebook model nearly two years later. Its 12th-generation Intel Core i3 processor ensures smooth multitasking and app performance, while the durable aluminum frame allows the device to survive the occasional bump. True to its name, the laptop has the ability to turn into a tablet, perfect for kicking back and watching YouTube videos after work.
Review: HP Chromebook Plus x360
- Current price: $200 (29% off)
- Original price: $280
If you want a Chromebook that completely converts into a tablet, consider the Lenovo Chromebook Duet, which features a fully detachable keyboard. This particular model is built for on-the-go use. It weighs just slightly over a pound, comes with a full-metal chassis and a screen “fortified with tough Corning glass.” The MediaTek Kompanio 838 is a modest processor, although it is powerful enough to handle everyday tasks like web browsing and streaming with ease.
Review: Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9
- Current price: $349 (42% off)
- Original price: $599
Normally, I’m not a big fan of AI features, but Lenovo’s Flex 5i Chromebook Plus uses them effectively. It comes preloaded with generative AI tech like NotebookLM, a tool that can take in files like PDFs, Google Docs, and more to “create an easily accessible reservoir of information.” Gone are the days when you have to scour through your documents just to find one useful piece of info. Other notable features include Waves MaxxAudio speakers that output impressive sound and a uniquely comfortable design.
Review: Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
- Current price: $119 (40% off)
- Original price: $299
The Acer Chromebook 314 is another excellent low-cost option, delivering solid value by pairing its 15.6-inch Full HD display with the efficient Intel Celeron N4500 processor. Together, these components enable the model to serve as a decent laptop for casual browsing, streaming, and productivity tasks. While the 64GB of eMMC storage may not seem like a lot, it provides ample space for apps and files. It’s a practical choice for shoppers on a budget. It also comes with a free protective sleeve for travel.
- Current price: $550 (22% off)
- Original price: $700
Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Plus is one of our favorite models on this list because it has so much going for it. Firstly, it is one of the lightest options, measuring just 0.46 inches thick and weighing approximately 2.5 pounds. The laptop also boasts a vibrant 15.6-inch AMOLED display, which delivers rich colors, deep blacks, and crystal-clear detail. Pair all this with an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage, and you get smooth everyday performance perfect for multitasking.
Review: Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
- Current price: $550 (15% off)
- Original price: $649
Chromebooks aren’t known for their power, so the idea of a gaming Chromebook may seem strange. Luckily, thanks to cloud gaming, you can enjoy playing your favorite titles on these lightweight machines. The best among them is the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE due to its 2K display, 120Hz refresh rate, and decent Intel Core 5 120U processor.
- Current price: $510 (30% off)
- Original price: $740
Rounding out the list is the HP Chromebook x360. It is a compact, midrange laptop housing an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of UFS storage. As its name suggests, this Chromebook features a flexible hinge that allows users to push the display all the way back, transforming it into a tablet. Due to these features, it’s an excellent laptop for any aspiring artist or creator. It supports Adobe Photoshop on Web and AI-powered features like Magic Eraser.
- Current price: $339 (20% off)
- Original price: $420
The Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 is an excellent choice for office professionals, thanks to its well-balanced hardware and integration with cloud technology. It is powered by an Intel Core i3-1315U processor, paired with 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB of UFS storage, to handle multitasking with ease. The laptop also supports Google’s Gemini AI assistant, which helps with tasks such as summarizing documents, managing emails, and generating content. What’s more, the 14-inch Full HD touchscreen lends itself nicely to creative work.
- Current price: $269 (44% off)
- Original price: $479
Rounding out the list is the Asus Chromebook CM1402, another budget device from the brand. I recommend this model to anyone looking for a travel laptops because, as you can probably tell from the image, it is an ultrathin device. Best Buy’s specs sheet reveal that it weighs a little over three pounds and is less than an inch thick. It also boasts solid battery life, capable of lasting around 15 hours on a single charge.
More early Black Friday Chromebook deals
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i: $425 (save $70): The IdeaPad Slim 3i houses a solid hardware configuration led by an Intel Core i3-N305 processor. It’s also support by Google’s latest AI tech.
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3: $165 (save $55): This lightweight machine is a good option for students on a budget, thanks to its octa-core MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor and 4GB of RAM.
- Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook: $249 (save $150): The Lenovo Duet 11 is a more midrange version of the 9th-generation Duet model, hosting less powerful hardware. But it shares many of the same features, including a detachable keyboard.
- Lenovo Chromebook Plus Flex 5i: $349 (save $250): Rounding out Lenovo’s Chromebook lineup, this model features a 2K display. It also performs well thanks to its 13th-Gen Intel Core i3 processor.
- Asus Chromebook Plus CX14: $249 (save $180): The Chromebook CX14 from Asus excels as a laptop for school and work. It comes with all the AI perks exclusive to the Chromebook Plus series, as well as a Full HD display.
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go: $150 (save $180): Samsung’s Galaxy Chromebook Go is perfect for travel, sporting a durable chassis and weighing slightly over three pounds.
- Asus ExpertBook CX54: $630 (save $170): The Asus ExpertBook CX54 has an eye-catching design, boasting a 2K display and a sleek Fog Silver finish.
- Acer Chromebook Plus 514: $333 (save $67): If you’re looking for a laptop with a bit of power, check out the Acer Chromebook Plus 514. It runs on an AMD Ryzen 3 7420C processor and features 8GB of LPDDR5X memory.
- HP Chromebook 14: $119 (save $210): HP’s Chromebook 14 is the most affordable option on this list, housing an Intel Celeron chipset, 4GB of memory, and 64GB of storage.
- Asus CX14 Chromebook Plus: $249 (save $180): This entry is similar to the Asus CX15 model at the top of this list, although it has better hardware.
When is Black Friday?
In 2025, Black Friday is set for Friday, November 28. It’s one of the best times of the year to score deep discounts on Chromebooks from major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon. Many of these sales are expected to carry over until Cyber Monday, which is on December 1.
Are Chromebooks really cheaper during Black Friday?
Absolutely. Chromebooks are almost always cheaper on Black Friday and Cyber Week as a whole. Premium models with fast processors or 2-in-1 designs usually receive the best price cuts. They’ll drop hundreds of dollars in price. Some of the midrange models even go below $200. Whether you’re upgrading your old device or buying a lightweight laptop for travel, this shopping weekend is the best time to grab a Chromebook.
How did we choose these early Black Friday deals?
At ZDNET, we only highlight Chromebook deals worth your money — the same kind we’d consider buying ourselves. For this roundup, I specifically sought out laptops that were 15% off or more. Black Friday is still several weeks away, so the big discounts aren’t available yet. Knowing this, I expanded my search to include lesser discounts to fill out the list. Although some of the price drops aren’t as deep as others, they’re still worth consideration because they offer unique value in other areas.
I took into consideration hands-on experience, real-world performance, and customer feedback. Every recommendation featured on this list is backed by careful research and expert insight, so you can shop these early Black Friday sales with confidence.
What are the best Black Friday deals?
ZDNET’s experts have been searching through early Black Friday sales to find the best discounts. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by retailer:
- Best early Black Friday Amazon deals
- Best early Black Friday Best Buy deals
- Best early Black Friday Walmart deals
- Best early Black Friday Target deals
- Best early Black Friday Sam’s Club deals
- Best early Black Friday Costco deals
- Best early Black Friday Samsung deals
- Best early Black Friday Verizon deals
- Best early Black Friday Dell deals
And the best Black Friday deals by product category or price point:
- Best early Black Friday deals
- Best early Black Friday deals under $100
- Best early Black Friday gadget deals
- Best early Black Friday TV deals
- Best early Black Friday phone deals
- Best early Black Friday laptop deals
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- Best early Black Friday Apple deals
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- Best early Black Friday Kindle deals
- Best early Black Friday Chromebook deals
- Best early Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals
- Best early Black Friday PlayStation deals
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